European countries reaffirm their rejection of settlement plans in Area E1 in the West Bank
France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, and Britain on Thursday rejected the Israeli occupation government’s decision to launch tenders for construction projects as part of the “E1” settlement project in the occupied West Bank, describing it as “unacceptable.”
The six European countries stated in a joint statement published by the Élysée Palace that the international community has long opposed settlement expansion and has expressed serious concerns about it, both privately and publicly.
The statement added that the E1 settlement project would undermine the prospects of a two-state solution by dividing the West Bank and eroding the territorial contiguity of Palestinian lands.
It emphasized that international law is clear that Israeli occupation settlements in the West Bank are illegal, noting that this is the position of the international community, reaffirmed by the UN Security Council.
The statement clarified that, amid growing instability in the West Bank characterized by unprecedented levels of settler violence against civilians and severe restrictions on the Palestinian economy, this decision raises further concern.
In this context, the six European countries called on the Israeli occupation government to immediately reverse these plans and halt settlement expansion in the West Bank.
They pointed out that such measures would not only push the region further away from peace but would also continue to weaken Israel’s standing on the international stage.
At the same time, they urged companies not to consider participating in these construction project tenders, urging them to recognize the legal and reputational consequences, particularly the risk of complicity in serious violations of international law.
According to the statement, the six countries reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on a two-state solution, confirming that they would continue to work in this direction.
