- Israel's housing ministry issued a tender for 1,234 of 3,401 housing units in the E1 area, which has sparked condemnation from major Western powers.
- UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband condemned the plan, which drew outright rejection from the Israeli foreign minister.
- A unified statement from leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway labelled the move 'unacceptable'.
- The joint statement urged Israel to retract the plans immediately and warned of damage to Israel's international standing.
- The E1 corridor, covering a strategic 12-square-kilometre area between East Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Ma'ale Adumim, is seen as a major flashpoint.
- All settlements are illegal under international law, and Israel had previously held off on plans to build in E1 due to international pressure.
- Opponents of the E1 project warn that it would block the establishment of a Palestinian state by severing the northern West Bank from the south.
- The joint statement from Western leaders highlighted that the plans would take us further from peace and undermine Israel's international standing.
UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Canada have condemned Israel's E1 West Bank settlement plan, calling it 'unacceptable' and urging for its immediate retraction. The leaders emphasized that the expansion threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state and exacerbates existing tensions in the region.3
The joint statement highlighted the strategic significance of the E1 corridor, a 12-square-kilometre area between East Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, which has been identified as a major flashpoint by international diplomats and human rights organizations. The coalition warned that the settlement plans would fragment the West Bank, severing territorial contiguity essential for a future independent Palestinian state.5
The leaders noted that the timing of the announcement comes amid record levels of settler-related violence against civilians and severe economic restrictions on Palestinian communities. They reiterated that all Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under established United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The statement also urged businesses to refrain from participating in the tenders, warning of severe legal and reputational risks associated with bidding on the projects. The coalition called on Israeli authorities to cease all further settlement expansions, asserting that such actions would damage Israel's diplomatic standing globally and take the region further away from a lasting peace agreement.
Reaffirming their commitment to a comprehensive and just peace, the leaders insisted that preserving the framework for a two-state solution remains the only viable path to long-term security in West Asia.
“The E1 corridor, covering 12 square kilometers between East Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, would sever the northern West Bank from the south, blocking a contiguous Palestinian state. The joint statement also warned businesses against bidding, citing legal and reputational risks.”
BBC
News18
