Israel accuses UK, France, Germany, Canada of anti-Jewish discrimination over settlement opposition

Israel pushes back on criticism by 14 countries of decision to recognize 8 towns and establish 11 new communities in Judea and Samaria, citing international law.

By World Israel News Staff

Israel pushed back Thursday on calls by Japan, Canada, and 12 European countries to reverse a decision granting approval to 19 Jewish towns across Judea and Samaria, accusing the 14 nations of anti-Jewish discrimination and ignoring international law.

Earlier this week, Israel’s security cabinet voted to back recognition of eight existing towns in Judea and Samaria, and to approve construction of 11 new communities.

The move drew sharp international criticism, with 14 countries issuing a joint declaration on Wednesday condemning the move and demanding Israel walk back the decision.

The statement, released by France, Britain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain, claimed the settlement expansion “not only violate[s] international law but also risk[s] fueling instability.”

“We call on Israel to reverse this decision, as well as the expansion of settlements, in line with UNSC Resolution 2334.”

Hours later, however, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar (New Hope) issued a statement castigating the declaration, calling it “discriminatory” and contrary to precedents set by international law recognizing the rights of a Jewish state in the territory included in the British Mandate for Palestine.

“Israel strongly rejects the statement issued by foreign countries regarding the Cabinet decision on settlements in Judea and Samaria,” said Sa’ar.

“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.”

“The Cabinet decision to establish 11 new settlements and to formalize eight additional settlements is intended, among other things, to help address the security threats Israel is facing. All of the settlements are located in Area C and are situated on state land.”

While critics of Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria have argued that all Jewish communities in the area violate international law, Sa’ar noted that the League of Nations mandated Jewish rights in the British Mandate, which included Judea, Samaria, and Gaza.

The terms of the mandate were later preserved under the United Nations charter.

“Israel acts in accordance with International Law. The incorporation of the 1917 Balfour Declaration into the Mandate was explicitly agreed upon at the San Remo Conference in 1920. According to the Mandate, the right of the Jewish people to establish its national home extends over the entire territory of ‘Mandatory Palestine.’ These rights were preserved in Article 80 of the Charter of the United Nations.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister also noted the failure by the countries which released the declaration Wednesday to condemn Palestinian Authority land grabs in Area C of Judea and Samaria, which under the Oslo Accords is administered exclusively by Israel.

“In the aforementioned statement, the blatant silence of foreign states regarding the Palestinian Authority’s illegal construction in Area C is extremely striking.”