Seven countries urge Israel to abandon E1 settlement plans
Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands and Norway warn a tender for more than 1,200 homes in E1 risks splitting the West Bank and undermining a two‑state future.
Seven Western countries have issued a joint demand that Israel abandon planned settlement construction in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, warning the move would further entrench a division of the territory and jeopardize prospects for a two‑state solution.
The statement, released by the German government and signed by France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands and Norway, said the expansion of settlements must stop and reminded that international law regards West Bank settlements as illegal.
Warning to companies and reputational risks
The countries also urged businesses not to take part in tenders linked to the project and cautioned about the consequences. In English translation the statement said: "Companies should be aware of the legal consequences, but also of the reputational risk, including the possibility of being involved in serious violations of international law."
Israel’s Ministry of Construction late on Tuesday published a tender for more than 1,200 housing units within the so‑called E1 area, located between East Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim. The wider plan envisions roughly 3,400 homes in total.
Observers say construction in E1 is one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict because development there would fragment the West Bank and make the creation of a territorially contiguous Palestinian state much harder, if not impossible. Under international pressure Israel has postponed E1 plans in the past; German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the latest moves sharply this week.
Photo: press material from the event
