In addition to Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Spain have also backed the statement, which is said to have been signed by the foreign ministers of these twelve countries.

Israel's plans have been criticized from several quarters.

Among other things, Britain's responsible minister for the Middle East and North Africa, James Cleverly, called the settlements "illegal under international law" and said that they "constitute an obstacle to peace and stability".

Russia's foreign ministry also said in a post on Twitter that it was "disappointed" with Israel's decision.

The administration of US President Joe Biden also strongly condemned the settlement plans.

"We are deeply concerned about the Israeli government's plan to move thousands of housing units tomorrow, Wednesday, many of them deep in the West Bank," said Ned Price, a spokesman for the US State Department.

Linde visiting Israel

Earlier in October, Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde visited Israel.

President Isaac Herzog then described the visit as a fresh start after years of diplomatic ice cold.

At the time of the visit, Ann Linde raised the proposal for a two-state solution.

- We stand by the fact that we still believe in an international law-based two-state solution and we stand by the recognition of Palestine.

But we are extremely anxious to have good, normal relations with Israel, Linde said then.

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Ann Linde visits the Holocaust Museum Yad Vashem during her visit to Israel.

Photo: TT