In Joint Statement, Seven Countries Condemn Israel's Decision to Go Ahead With E1 Settlement Project in West Bank

The statement added that the decision is even more concerning at a time of grave instability in the West Bank with unprecedented levels of violence by settlers against civilians, and serious restrictions on the Palestinian economy.

The Wire Staff

in joint statement seven countries condemn israel s decision to go ahead with e1 settlement project in west bank

Israeli settlers gather from a nearby outpost after Israeli and foreign peace activists took down a metal structure in the shape of a Star of David from atop a Palestinian structure during a protest in support of local landowners whose property is threatened with seizure by settlers, on the outskirts of the West Bank city of Beit Sahour, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. Photo: AP/PTI

New Delhi: Terming the Israeli government’s decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project as “unacceptable” the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Canada issued a joint statement on Thursday (August 20), urging it to retract these plans immediately and end its expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

“The E1 settlement will undermine the prospect of the two-state solution by driving a wedge through the West Bank and harming the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian Territories. International law is clear that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. This is the position of the international community reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council,” said the joint statement by the seven countries.

“We urge the Government of Israel to retract these plans immediately and end its expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Not only will they take us further from peace, but they further undermine Israel’s international standing,” said the statement.

Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Canada. pic.twitter.com/eoVzRYAwHV
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) August 20, 2026

It added that businesses should not consider bidding for construction tenders and instead should be aware of legal and reputational consequences including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law.

“We reiterate our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. We will continue to act in its interest,” said the countries in the joint statement.

Settlement development in E1, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for more than two decades, but was frozen due to US pressure during previous administrations.

Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank is overwhelmingly considered to be illegal and an obstacle to peace.

Critics say the new settlement would prevent the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state in the territory.

This article went live on August twenty-first, two thousand twenty six, at twenty minutes past three in the afternoon.

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