Arab, Muslim Nations Denounce Israeli E1 Settlement Plan

A coalition of Arab and Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Qatar, and Egypt, has strongly condemned Israel's settlement policies in the occupied Palestinian territories. Their joint statement specifically rejected the E1 settlement plan and associated activities east of Jerusalem. The ministers also denounced the violence and property violations perpetrated by Israeli settlers, asserting these acts violate international law and UN resolutions. They warned that the E1 plan represents a dangerous escalation, advancing settlement expansion and annexation. This move, they stated, undermines the geographical contiguity of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, jeopardizing the viability of an independent Palestinian state. The ministers emphasized that such actions directly challenge international peace efforts, including former U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan, which they noted unequivocally rejected annexation and forced displacement. They reiterated that the two-state solution, based on international law and UN resolutions, remains the sole viable path to a just and lasting peace. The group cautioned that undermining this solution risks escalating tensions and threatening regional stability. They called for accountability, including international measures and sanctions, against those involved in illegal settlement activities and urged an end to all support or financing for settlement expansion. The ministers stressed that a lack of accountability perpetuates violations and diminishes prospects for peace, demanding immediate action to halt the E1 plan and rescind related measures.