Britain, France, and Canada affirm commitment to two-state solution

PARIS - British, French, and Canadian leaders issued a joint statement on Tuesday affirming their "commitment to protect the two-state solution" in the face of the "systematic expansion" of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

"A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is critical for peace, stability and security in the Middle East and beyond," and the settlements "pose a direct and urgent threat to that vision for peace," British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in the joint statement.

"Settlements are illegal under international law," they said, condemning the Israeli government's latest decision to progress the E1 settlement, and the "dramatic increase in settler violence."

The three countries will therefore ban the importation of goods from settlements and enforce targeted measures against settlements and those who facilitate them or profit from them, according to the joint statement.

The three leaders also reiterated their desire for a close and productive partnership with Israel. "We support a safe and secure Israel, living alongside a safe and secure Palestine," they said.