On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar addressed criticism from several Western nations regarding Israel's settlement program in the West Bank. He stated, "Foreign governments will not restrict the right of Jews to live in the land of Israel, and any such call is morally wrong and discriminatory against Jews."
Sa'ar emphasized that Israel firmly rejects statements from foreign countries concerning the cabinet's decision on settlements in Judea and Samaria. He explained that the approval of 11 new settlements and the formalization of eight others, previously deemed illegal, is intended to counter security threats. All these settlements are located in Area C and are on state land, according to Sa'ar.
In his defense, Sa'ar referenced international law, the 1917 Balfour Declaration, and the 1920 San Remo Conference, which he said established the Jewish people's right to a national home across Mandatory Palestine. He noted that these rights are preserved in Article 80 of the UN Charter.
Sa'ar also pointed out the silence of foreign states regarding what he called illegal construction by the Palestinian Authority in Area C, describing it as striking.
International Condemnation of Settlement Approvals
Sa'ar's comments came after Britain, Canada, and Germany, among others, condemned the Security Cabinet's approval of 19 new settlements in the West Bank. A joint statement from Britain, supported by countries including Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, and Spain, called on Israel to reverse this decision and halt settlement expansion.
The statement warned that such unilateral actions, as part of increased settlement policies, violate international law and could fuel instability in the region.
