Seven Western Nations Urge Israel to Withdraw E1 Settlement Plan Immediately
Dragon Media News Desk
The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway have condemned the Israeli government’s decision to issue construction tenders for the controversial E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, calling on Israel to immediately withdraw the plan.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the seven leaders described Israel’s decision as “unacceptable,” warning that expansion in the E1 area would seriously undermine the territorial contiguity of the West Bank and weaken prospects for a two-state solution.
The E1 area lies on strategically important land between East Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim. Critics say large-scale settlement construction there could further disrupt Palestinian territorial links between the northern and southern West Bank and complicate access to East Jerusalem.
The leaders reiterated their position that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law and contrary to relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Israel has long disputed aspects of the international legal interpretation of the settlements.
The joint statement said the decision comes at a time of heightened instability in the West Bank, with growing violence against civilians and severe restrictions affecting the Palestinian economy.
The seven countries urged Israel not only to halt the E1 project but also to stop broader settlement expansion in the West Bank. They warned that continued settlement activity would push the region further away from peace and further damage Israel’s international standing.
The leaders also cautioned private companies and contractors against participating in tenders linked to the E1 project, warning of potential legal and reputational risks associated with involvement in activities that may contribute to serious breaches of international law.
Israel’s Ministry of Construction and Housing on Tuesday published a tender for 1,234 housing units in the E1 area. The units form part of a wider plan for 3,401 homes approved in 2025.
The E1 project has been a source of international controversy for decades. Because of its location, the United Nations, European governments and other international actors have repeatedly warned that construction there could have major consequences for the territorial viability of a future Palestinian state.
The seven leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a negotiated two-state solution and said they would continue diplomatic efforts in support of that objective.
