• Canada condemns Israel's approval of 19 new settlements in West Bank.
• 14 countries warn that this move undermines peace efforts.
• Settlement expansion violates international law, according to multiple nations.
• The UN highlights rising Israeli settlement activity as a major obstacle to peace.
• Israel's Finance Minister claims settlements are vital for national security.

Canada has strongly condemned Israel’s recent approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, stressing that this action undermines peace efforts and prospects for a two-state solution. The statement issued by the Canadian government described the settlement expansion as “illegal under international law” and warned it could jeopardize ongoing peace initiatives, including the 20-point Peace Plan for Gaza proposed by the US administration, according to aa.

A coalition of 14 countries, including Canada, France, Britain, and Germany, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's actions. They underscored that the approval of new settlements “violates international law” and risks destabilizing the region amid ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza. These nations reiterated their unwavering commitment to a two-state solution, calling on Israel to reverse its decision regarding settlement expansion, according to channelnewsasia and reuters.

With mounting international concern, these nations' condemnation follows a marked increase in Israeli settlement activity, reported to be at its highest level since at least 2017. The United Nations has likewise indicated that such expansions pose a significant barrier to achieving peace, as they disrupt the geographical contiguity necessary for a future Palestinian state, according to aljazeera.

In response to the international backlash, Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, defended the decision to establish new settlements, asserting it is crucial for addressing security threats. Smotrich's statements indicated the settlements are a means to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, asserting that “we will continue to develop, build and settle in the land of our ancestors,” highlighting the ideological motivations behind the expansion, according to aljazeera and reuters.