Spain condemns new settlement construction in the West Bank – Spanish Government communiqué – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation press release/Non-UN document

65-2012. CONDEMNATION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO CONSTRUCT NEW SETTLEMENTS ON THE WEST BANK 

Madrid, 8 June 2012. The Government of Spain condemns the announcements made by the Israeli authorities on 6 June regarding the building of several hundred new homes in the West Bank colonies.

Spain considers that all the settlements built in occupied territories are illegal according to international law and that continuing to colonise the West Bank goes against the commitments and obligations made by Israel to the international community. Continuing such actions will make any future peace agreement more difficult as they may affect the fundamental geographical continuity of the future Palestinian state.

Spain also considers that this announcement constitutes a new obstacle to restarting negotiations between the parties that would enable a global, just and lasting peace to be achieved in the Middle East based on the solution of two states living together in peace and security.

 “The English version of this communiqué is intended for informative purposes only. Please check against the official Spanish version.”