On Thursday, the Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies criticized Israel's decision to expand its settlements in the occupied West Bank, labeling it as "counterproductive to the cause of peace". Last month, Israel declared its intention to legalize five outposts in the West Bank, establish three new settlements, and appropriate vast tracts of land where Palestinians aim to establish an independent state.
The G7, comprising the United States, Britain, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, and Italy, strongly condemned this action and called on Israel to reconsider its decision. "We reiterate our dedication to a lasting and sustainable peace... based on the two-State solution," the statement read. Additionally, the G7 foreign ministers urged Israel to release all withheld tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority, emphasizing that maintaining economic stability in the West Bank is "crucial for regional security".
