Egypt condemns Israeli approval of 19 West Bank settlements, urges global action

CAIRO – 17 December 2025: Egypt strongly condemned Israel’s continued settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, which is illegal under international law, including the latest approval of 19 new settlement outposts.

In a statement on Wednesday, the foreign ministry described the Israeli settlement moves as a violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

Egypt reiterated its firm rejection of all forms of settlement expansion, calling it a major obstacle to achieving a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministry urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by taking effective steps to halt these ongoing violations and to protect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

These steps are essential to restoring momentum toward a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The Israeli cabinet approved the legalization and establishment of the new outposts across the occupied territory, including two that were dismantled under the 2005 disengagement plan.

Settlement outposts are widely regarded as illegal under international law with many of the newly approved sites located deep inside the occupied West Bank.

Israel has stepped up settlement-related projects in the territory in parallel with its war in Gaza, which began in October 2023 and has drawn international criticism over the humanitarian toll.