Europe, Canada condemn Israeli plans for new West Bank settlement

European nations and Canada have firmly condemned Israel's plans for a massive new settlement in the West Bank, warning it will sever the territory in two. A joint statement on August 21, 2026, from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway decried the opening of construction bids for over 1,200 new housing units under the E1 settlement project as "unacceptable" and in breach of the territorial integrity of the Palestinian territories.

The group threatened "legal and reputational consequences" for those involved and urged Israel to "retract these plans immediately and end its expansion of settlements in the West Bank". Egypt's foreign ministry echoed the condemnation, demanding the international community take "serious steps to stop these violations". Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called the plans a "grave threat" to a contiguous Palestinian homeland.

The United Nations spokesperson expressed "deep alarm" over the new illegal Israeli settlement outposts, while the UN emphasized settlements in the occupied territory are "illegal under international law". The planned E1 settlement, expected to comprise at least 3,400 units, would link East Jerusalem to the Maale Adumim area, dividing the West Bank from north to south and severing its connection to East Jerusalem, a preferred future capital for Palestinians.

Israel approved the E1 plan in August, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calling it "historic". More than 21 countries had previously condemned the proposal. Concurrently, Palestinian displacement due to settler attacks and illegal settlements has surged, with the UN humanitarian body noting a marked increase in forced evictions in 2026 compared to 2025. Analysts attribute the push for settlements to Israel's upcoming elections scheduled for October.