Philippines expresses ‘deep concern’ over Israeli illegal settlements in West Bank

The Philippines has expressed “deep concern” over Israeli illegal settlements in the West Bank and urged “all parties” to “desist from unilateral actions that erode the conditions for peace,” Anadolu reports.

The Philippine Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that Manila “notes with alarm” Israel’s efforts to advance the E1 settlement plan, as well as the continued rise in settler violence in the West Bank.

Israeli authorities plan to open tenders on Oct. 25 for 2,167 settlement units under the E1 project, in addition to 1,234 units included in a separate tender issued in August, bringing the total to 3,401 units.

The project is located east of Jerusalem and aims to connect the Maale Adumim settlement with occupied Jerusalem through the seizure of Palestinian land, according to the Palestinian presidency.

Manila “views these actions, which may contravene international law, as detrimental to finding a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict,” the statement said.

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It urged “all parties to desist from unilateral actions that erode the conditions for peace and undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state.”

“The Philippines remains resolute in upholding the fundamental and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, in particular the right to self-determination,” it added.

Since the start of Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip in 2023, attacks by the Israeli army and occupiers against Palestinians and their property have escalated across the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.

The attacks include killings and arrests of Palestinians, the demolition of homes and structures, burning of mosques and vehicles, bulldozing of agricultural land, preventing farmers from accessing their land, the displacement of Palestinians, and illegal settlement expansion.

Israel has occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 1967.

The international community considers Israeli settlements built on occupied territory illegal under international law, while Israel continues settlement activity despite international criticism.

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