United KingdomThe Muslim Council of Elders based in Abu Dhabi and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have strongly criticized Israeli plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank and areas east of occupied Jerusalem. In a joint statement published via Emirates News Agency, they described the plans as a clear breach of international law and UN resolutions. The groups warned that such actions threaten peace efforts in the region and hinder the possibility of creating a geographically connected and independent Palestinian state. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, the GCC’s secretary general, called the Israeli actions a direct challenge to international legitimacy and a threat to Palestinian rights. Notably, two GCC member states, the UAE and Bahrain, normalized relations with Israel in 2020 through the Abraham Accords.
Bias read (Progressive): The article presents a critical stance toward Israeli settlement expansion, describing it as a 'flagrant violation of international law' and emphasizing threats to Palestinian sovereignty and peace prospects. The framing highlights the illegitimacy of Israeli actions while aligning with Palestinian,
