The Federal Government firmly rejects the Israeli Government’s announcements approving thousands of new housing units in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The construction of settlements is in violation of international law and of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, making it more difficult to achieve a negotiated two-state solution and to end the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, as called for by the ICJ.

Planning for the E1 settlement and the expansion of Ma’ale Adumim would further restrict the mobility of the Palestinian population in the West Bank, effectively divide the West Bank into two halves and cut East Jerusalem off from the rest of the West Bank.

The Federal Government calls on the Israeli Government to cease building settlements and will only recognise changes to the borders of 4 June 1967 that have been agreed by the parties to the conflict.

The Federal Government clearly rejects any annexation plans on the part of the Israeli Government.