Six European countries confirm their rejection of settlement plans in Area E1 in the West Bank
Paris, August 20 (KUNA) -- France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom reaffirmed on Thursday their rejection of the Israeli occupation government’s decision to launch tenders for construction projects under the E1 settlement scheme in the occupied West Bank, describing it as “unacceptable.”
In a joint statement published by the Élysée Palace, the six European countries said 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: Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal, a position reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council. The statement further noted that, given the serious instability in the West Bank amid unprecedented levels of settler violence against civilians and severe restrictions on the Palestinian economy, this decision raises further concern.
The six European countries called on the Israeli occupation government to immediately reverse these plans and halt settlement expansion in the West Bank. They warned that such measures would not only push the region further away from peace but also continue to weaken Israel’s position on the international stage.
At the same time, the countries urged companies not to consider participating in these construction 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 renewed their commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, affirming that they would continue to work in this direction. (End) M.B. / F.A.S.
