THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday expressed concern over the rise of violence by Israeli forces in the West Bank to advance its E1 settlement plan.
Israel’s E1 settlement plan aims to build over 3,400 housing units on a strip of land in the occupied West Bank between Jerusalem and the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, fragmenting Palestine.
In a statement, the DFA said the actions of the Israeli government violate international frameworks and further destabilize the Middle East.
“We note with alarm the efforts of the Israeli government to advance the E1 settlement plan as well as the continued rise of settler violence in the West Bank,” the statement read.
The agency warned that unilateral measures run counter to establishing a peaceful resolution between Israel and Palestine.
“The Philippines views these actions, which may contravene international law, as detrimental to finding a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Middle East conflict,” the DFA said.
Manila called on all involved stakeholders to halt any measures that compromise the framework for long-term diplomacy.
“We therefore urge all parties to desist from unilateral actions that erode the conditions for peace and undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state,” the DFA emphasized.
Reaffirming its long-standing foreign policy stance, it emphasized its support for the fundamental rights of Palestinians within international law.
“The Philippines remains resolute in upholding the fundamental and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, in particular the right to self-determination,” the department said.
