Paris, Sep 9 (IANS) British, French, and Canadian leaders issued a joint statement affirming their “commitment to protect the two-state solution” in the face of the “systematic expansion” of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
“A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is critical for peace, stability and security in the Middle East and beyond,” and the settlements “pose a direct and urgent threat to that vision for peace,” British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in the joint statement on Tuesday (local time).
“Settlements are illegal under international law,” they said, condemning the Israeli government’s latest decision to progress the E1 settlement, and the “dramatic increase in settler violence.”
The three countries will therefore ban the importation of goods from settlements and enforce targeted measures against settlements and those who facilitate them or profit from them, reports Xinhua news agency, citing the joint statement.
The three leaders also reiterated their desire for a close and productive partnership with Israel. “We support a safe and secure Israel, living alongside a safe and secure Palestine,” they said.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over escalating Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon that have killed civilians, displaced thousands and destroyed a hospital, said his spokesperson.
“The secretary-general said he was particularly alarmed by reports of Israeli strikes affecting hospitals, healthcare workers and public institutions, along with restrictions on humanitarian access,” said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson.
Dujarric said the UN chief is concerned about attacks over the weekend through Monday, particularly in Nabatieh governorate.
The spokesperson said that while the attacks occurred outside the area of operations of the UN peacekeepers, known as UNIFIL, the peacekeepers monitored developments closely and expressed concern over the broader deterioration of the security situation.
Dujarric said UNIFIL recorded a significant increase in Israeli military activity, including ground operations, projectile fire, airstrikes and violations of Lebanon’s airspace.
–IANS
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