Seven Nations Urge Israel to Halt E1 Plan

The leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway on Thursday jointly called on the Israeli government to halt the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The statement followed Israel’s decision to publish construction tenders for the controversial E1 settlement project, a move the seven leaders described as “unacceptable”.

They said the decision was particularly concerning at a time of “grave instability” in the West Bank, citing unprecedented levels of settler violence against civilians and serious restrictions on the Palestinian economy.

“We urge the Government of Israel to retract these plans immediately and end its expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Not only will they take us further from peace, but they further undermine Israel’s international standing”, the leaders said.

The statement said the E1 project would undermine prospects for a two-state solution by “driving a wedge through the West Bank” and harming the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian Territories. It also said Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, a position reaffirmed by the UN Security Council.

According to The Times of Israel, the E1 project envisages the construction of about 3,400 homes as an expansion of the existing Maale Adumim settlement. Israel announced a public tender on Tuesday for the construction of more than 1,200 of them.

The seven governments also warned businesses against bidding for the tenders, citing potential legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of involvement in serious breaches of international law.

“We reiterate our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. We will continue to act in its interest”, the leaders added.

(tasr, kul)