Seven nations urge Israel to halt E1 settlement project in West Bank

Seven Western nations have urged Israel to abandon the E1 settlement plan, expressing concerns it jeopardizes peace prospects and Palestinian territorial integrity. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway issued a joint statement on Thursday, urging Israel to immediately cancel its decision to award tenders for the E1 settlement project and to cease settlement expansion in the West Bank.

The statement emphasized that the project would undermine the possibility of a two-state solution and jeopardize the territorial continuity of Palestinian lands. It reiterating that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law.

The seven countries noted that the decision comes amidst instability in the West Bank, a surge in settler violence against civilians, and severe constraints on the Palestinian economy. They cautioned companies against participating in construction tenders associated with the project, warning of potential legal repercussions and reputational harm.

The nations reaffirmed their dedication to reaching a comprehensive, just, and enduring peace based on a two-state solution, vowing to persist in supporting this objective.