Extract from ABC News
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has joined an international statement condemning Israel's plan to expand settlements in the West Bank.
Israel's Higher Planning Committee approved plans to construct settlements in the E1 area, just east of Jerusalem.
The joint statement was signed by 21 countries, including the UK, Canada, Norway, France and Denmark, and the European Commission.
It labels the decision a "violation" of international law and calls on the Israeli government to "urgently retract" the plan.
"We condemn this decision and call for its immediate reversal in the strongest terms," the joint statement says.
"This brings no benefits to the Israeli people. Instead, it risks undermining security and fuels further violence and instability, taking us further away from peace," it reads.
"The Government of Israel still has an opportunity to stop the E1 plan going any further.
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