American, European top diplomats condemn legalization of 9 outposts

The foreign ministers of the US, the UK, France, Germany and Italy issue a joint statement condemning Israel’s decision to legalize nine outposts and advance plans for some 10,000 new settlement homes in the West Bank.

The top diplomats say they are “deeply troubled” by the cabinet’s decision and “strongly oppose these unilateral actions which will only serve to exacerbate tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution.”

Each of the foreign ministers’ countries have already condemned the Israeli announcement individually and today’s statement appears to represent an attempt to amplify their frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline government.

The plans to further entrench Israel’s presence in the West Bank have also been lambasted by much of the Arab world, including by countries that have diplomatic ties with Israel.