"Poland firmly opposes plans to build new Jewish settlements in the E1 area of the West Bank," the Polish foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The Israeli government's decision of August 20, 2025, is in clear contradiction to international law," it added.
The ministry reiterated Poland’s support for "a two-state solution based on 1967 borders, allowing for peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine as endorsed by UN Security Council resolutions."
The statement also urged Israel to "halt support for the illegal settler movement in the West Bank" and condemned violence against Palestinians.
Israel’s planning committee on Wednesday approved the construction of 3,401 housing units northeast of Jerusalem, creating a continuous bloc of Jewish settlements from central parts of the West Bank to the city, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Critics say the project would sever East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank and split Palestinian territory into disconnected northern and southern areas.
The plan has drawn condemnation from the United Nations and the European Union and was previously criticised by the United States and European governments as a major obstacle to peace and the creation of a future Palestinian state, according to the PAP news agency.
Nearly 3 million Palestinians and more than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 Mideast war. Most of the international community regards all settlements there as illegal under international law.
The current Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, opposes Palestinian statehood, while the UN and EU back its creation.
In recent weeks, several countries, including France, Britain, Canada and Australia, have announced plans to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Earlier this month, Poland reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defence "within internationally recognised borders" but strongly condemned the scale of civilian casualties in Gaza, saying Israel has failed in its obligation to protect civilians as an occupying power.
Poland also reiterated its long-standing support for Palestinian statehood, which it has recognised since 1988.
The Polish foreign ministry said on August 4 that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was "resulting in an unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe and civilian suffering."
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, gov.pl