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Ambassadors

UK Summons Israeli Ambassador Over West Bank Settlement Approval

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The UK has summoned Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely over Israel's decision to approve a major settlement in the West Bank, which risks "undermining security and fuels further violence and instability." The move comes after foreign ministers from the UK, EU, and 20 other countries issued a joint statement calling on Israel to reverse the decision. This decision marks a significant escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as it effectively cuts the West Bank in two and undermines the two-state solution. The UK had previously condemned the approval of the E1 plan, which has been under consideration by Israel for at least two decades, and has imposed sanctions on Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK has summoned Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely over Israel's approval of a major settlement in the West Bank, which risks "undermining security and fuels further violence and instability."
  • The move follows a joint statement from foreign ministers from the UK, EU, and 20 other countries calling on Israel to reverse the decision.
  • The E1 settlement has been under consideration by Israel for at least two decades and has been prevented by pressure from the US in the past.
  • Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has been sanctioned by the UK, said the decision "buries the idea of a Palestinian state" and "there is nothing to recognise and no one to recognise".
  • The UK has joined 25 other members of the Media Freedom Coalition in urging Israel to allow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protection for journalists operating in Gaza.
  • Israel has called up 60,000 reservists ahead of an expanded military operation in Gaza City.

Statistics:

  • 60,000: The number of reservists called up by Israel ahead of an expanded military operation in Gaza City.
  • 20: The number of countries that signed a joint statement with the UK, EU, and US calling on Israel to reverse the decision.
  • 2 decades: The length of time the E1 settlement has been under consideration by Israel.

Sources:

  • The article does not provide sources in the traditional sense, but the information is based on publicly available news reports and statements from the UK government and international organizations.

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