UK: Tenders for Illegal West Bank Settlements Pose a Direct Threat to the Two-State Solution

London, October 19 (KUNA) -- British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said on Monday that the Israeli occupation government’s decision to issue tenders for illegal settlements in Area E1 of the West Bank constitutes a “direct threat” to the prospects of a two-state solution. The British Foreign Office said in a statement, quoting Miliband, that the occupation government’s decision to issue tenders for settlements in Area E1 “poses a direct threat to the prospects of a two-state solution and has been widely condemned by the international community,” noting that “today is the deadline for submitting bids for these settlements.”

He stressed in this regard that “the British government will not accept the continued displacement of Palestinians or the continuation of illegal occupation, and we will not stand idly by while the two-state solution is destroyed.” He added, “For this reason, we have committed to introducing legislation that prohibits the import of goods coming from illegal settlements and to taking measures concerning services that fund or facilitate these settlements.”

The British Foreign Secretary said, “I want to send a very clear message to those considering participating in the bidding process... We have established new powers that enable us to impose sanctions on individuals and companies involved in building illegal settlements, such as those in Area E1.” Miliband urged companies and individuals “not to proceed with submitting bids for construction projects in the area,” emphasizing that “they must be aware of the legal consequences and the potential damage to their reputation, including the risk of involvement in serious violations of international law.”

On another note, the British Foreign Secretary condemned the escalating violence by settlers in the West Bank, particularly the recent attacks targeting officials from France, Belgium, and Poland, a representative of the Catholic Church, and an American journalist.

It is recalled that the United Kingdom imposed a ban in September last year on goods coming from Israeli occupation settlements, and also hinted at taking legal action against companies and individuals providing services that contribute to the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.

The Israeli occupation plans to implement the Area E1 project, which involves building approximately 3,400 settlement units in the West Bank, with the aim of connecting the Ma’ale Adumim settlement to Jerusalem and expanding the settlement footprint. This would prevent the establishment of a geographically contiguous Palestinian state between the cities of Ramallah, Bethlehem, and East Jerusalem. (End) A.S.H / N.B.Sh