Joint Arab List leaders enlisted Europe against Israel
Joint Arab List leaders meet European Union ambassadors in Tel Aviv, urging greater European involvement in Israel and presenting allegations over government policy and Arab representation.
Seven nations have forcefully demanded that Israel cease its contentious E1 settlement initiative in the West Bank and have threatened repercussions for companies seeking to participate in construction bids. The British, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, and Canadian leaders denounced Israel's move to release tenders as "unacceptable" and urged the Israeli government to cease its expansion within the West Bank.
Their concern lies in the fact that the E1 project would "undermine" the two-state solution by "driving a wedge" through the West Bank, "take us further from peace", and "further undermine Israel's international standing". This scheme is a highly criticized Israeli plan that would encroach upon land Palestinians aim to secure for their own state.
The Israeli authorities have initiated tenders for around 1,200 homes to be constructed within the West Bank, with a deadline slated before the October general election. Over 3,400 housing units have already been approved for the E1 area, a region east of Jerusalem that has been under consideration for development for over two decades but was previously suspended due to US pressure during prior administrations.
The leaders emphasized that "at a time of grave instability in the West Bank with unprecedented levels of violence by settlers against civilians and serious restrictions on the Palestinian economy, this decision is even more concerning." They also cautioned businesses against participating in the scheme, warning them of potential "legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of involvement in serious breaches of international law."
The British Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, personally summoned Israel's charge d'affaires to discuss the matter, stating that the British government is preparing targeted sanctions against Israelis involved in "illegal settlement expansion" in Gaza and the West Bank. This marks a hardening stance from the Labour party towards Israel. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Miliband's statement of having a "patronising tone."
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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