Canada ‘very concerned’ by Israeli settlement decision: FM

The Foreign Minister of Canada on Wednesday said her country was “very concerned” by Israel’s decision to legalize settlement on Palestinian land in the West Bank.

OTTAWA, Canada (Kurdistan24) – The Foreign Minister of Canada on Wednesday said her country was “very concerned” by Israel’s decision to legalize settlement on Palestinian land in the West Bank.

During a conference call, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters Canada was opposed to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

“Canada is very concerned…and we want to underline that this expansion of settlement is illegal under international law,” Freeland stated.

Unlike the former Conservative rule, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government are willing to voice their concerns over Israel.

Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper notably embraced a pro-Israel policy while he was in charge.

On Feb. 5, Israel’s parliament approved a law legalizing the construction of homes built on Palestinian land.

Freeland mentioned Canada was “calling on all parties not to make unilateral moves which could have a negative effect.”

She added Ottawa had always supported a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian land dispute.

Last year, a draft United Nations Security Council resolution regarding settlement construction in the West Bank was submitted by Egypt on Dec. 21.

The draft received support from several countries against Israeli settlement on Palestinian land.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his discontent before the UN vote, calling the proposed resolution “anti-Israel.”

After a vote on Dec. 23, the UN Security Council said the settlement was a “flagrant violation under international law.”

The decision officially condemned Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as illegal.

Shortly after the vote, the Jerusalem municipal government announced it was moving ahead with the construction of thousands of new homes in disputed areas.

 

Editing by Ava Homa