Europeans on UN Security Council warn businesses of legal, reputational risks in West Bank settlement deals
NEW YORK CITY: The five European members of the UN Security Council on Monday warned businesses against bidding for construction contracts in Israeli settlements, citing legal and reputational consequences.
It came as the countries voiced deep concern over deteriorating conditions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. They warned that the continued expansion of Israeli settlements, and settler violence, were undermining the Gaza peace process and prospects for a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
The statement was delivered by France’s permanent representative to the UN, Jerome Bonnafont, on behalf of his country, Denmark, Greece, Latvia and the UK ahead of a Security Council session on the secretary-general’s report on the implementation of Resolution 2334.
They noted that the resolution explicitly condemns settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and requires Israel to respect its obligations under international law, but said the Israeli government “continues to entrench its control” in violation of that resolution, Resolution 2803 and a broader push for regional security, including Israel’s own long-term security.
