14 countries condemn Israel's West Bank settlement plan

A group of 14 countries issued a joint statement on Wednesday, strongly condemning Israel's decision to establish 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, and warning that such moves violate the international law.

The joint statement was co-signed by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom, according to the French foreign ministry.

"We recall that such unilateral actions, as part of a wider intensification of the settlement policies in the West Bank, not only violate international law but also risk fueling instability," the statement said.

The group emphasized that the expansion of settlements risks undermining the implementation of the Gaza peace plan amid efforts to progress to second phase and harming prospects for long-term peace and security across the region.

The 14 nations reiterated their "clear opposition" to any form of annexation and to the expansion of settlement policies, including the approval of the E1 settlement and thousands of new housing units.

"We are resolute in our support of Palestinians' right of self-determination," it said, adding that "we reaffirm that there is no alternative to a negotiated two-state solution."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar issued a statement on Wednesday evening in response, stating that the Israeli government opposes the condemnations against Israel by some countries and emphasizes that all newly-built settlements in Israel are located on Israeli territory and are in accordance with international law.

On Sunday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a pro-settler politician, said Israel's security cabinet had approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the West Bank, bringing the number of settlements legalized or approved over the past three years to 69.

Israel has accelerated settlement approvals since the formation of its current right-wing government, which includes parties that oppose Palestinian statehood and support expanding Israeli control over the territory.

Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and has occupied the territories ever since.

14 countries condemn Israel's West Bank settlement plan

14 countries condemn Israel's West Bank settlement plan

American actress Zoe Saldana, who portrayed Neytiri in the Avatar film series, has shared her personal journey in performing the role for the latest film, which she describes as more emotional than the previous two installments.

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" was released in the Chinese mainland and North America on December 19, after the much-anticipated sci-fi epic had its initial Chinese premiere at the 7th Hainan Island International Film Festival in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, on December 8.

Saldana discussed the film in an interview in Hainan with China Central Television (CCTV).

"It's definitely more emotional than 'The Way of Water,' more emotional than Avatar 1. It's the Sully family, not just Jake and Neytiri. They have their children. And they just buried one child. So, they are finding themselves in a place where they are having to pick up the pieces. And they don't really know what they are going to do," she said.

The themes of loss resonated deeply with her, causing her to reflect on her own blessings, she said.

"My life, in 2017, I had all of my children. And my last child was still a baby. He was only four months old. So, getting to experience such joy and happiness in my personal life, and then coming to work to embody the skin of a woman who is absolutely devastated after losing her child was really hard, but I always felt that I had the support," said the actress.

She also praised the ambition and storytelling prowess of James Cameron, writer and director of the Avatar series.

"I do believe that James' stories, though fantastical, are still very relatable. I very much can relate a lot of themes that Jim is highlighting in his film," she said.

Avatar 3 star highlights emotional depth of blockbuster film