The UK government has strongly condemned Israel’s recent approval of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling the move a deliberate obstacle to Palestinian statehood and a threat to the two-state solution. Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer emphasized that these settlements violate international law and undermine peace efforts, while Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz defended the expansion as a necessary response to Palestinian terrorism and a reaffirmation of Israel’s historical claims to the territory.
Among the newly approved settlements are several previously unauthorized outposts that will now be legalized under Israeli law, further consolidating Israel’s control over the West Bank. The UK has expressed support for Palestinian statehood as part of a negotiated peace process but remains cautious about the timing of recognition.
In addition to the settlement issue, concerns have risen over the forced closure of six United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) schools in East Jerusalem, which threatens the education of around 800 Palestinian children. Armed Israeli forces recently evicted hundreds of students from three of these schools in the Shu’fat refugee camp, prompting criticism from UK parliamentarians.
Labour MP Sarah Champion has urged the UK government to take further action to ensure UNRWA schools remain open and to engage diplomatically with international partners, including the United States, to press Israel on this issue. The UK government has raised concerns with Israeli officials and highlighted the importance of uninterrupted access to education for Palestinian children.
These developments highlight the ongoing challenges in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Israeli settlement expansion and restrictions on humanitarian services undermining the prospects for peace and Palestinian statehood. The international community’s role in mediating and exerting pressure remains vital in seeking a sustainable resolution.
