European powers demand Israel halt West Bank settlement project

Key European nations, France, Italy, Britain, and Germany, have strongly condemned Israel's decision to open bidding for over 1,200 homes in the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank. The joint statement issued Thursday expressed deep concern, particularly given the current "grave instability" and "unprecedented levels of violence by settlers against civilians" in the region.

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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, this decision is even more concerning.

The E1 plan, approved by Israel last year, aims to construct approximately 3,400 homes on a sensitive tract of land east of Jerusalem. Critics argue this project would effectively sever East Jerusalem, which Israel occupies and annexed, from the rest of the West Bank, thereby undermining the viability of a contiguous Palestinian state. The UN secretary general has previously described the E1 plan as an "existential threat" to such a state.

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We urge the Government of Israel to retract these plans immediately and end its expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

These European powers urged the Israeli government to "retract these plans immediately and end its expansion of settlements." They also cautioned businesses against participating in the construction tenders, warning that doing so could lead to "serious breaches of international law." Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot echoed these sentiments, calling the tenders "unacceptable" and a serious blow to the two-state solution.

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would seriously undermine the viability of the two-State solution

However, Israel's envoy, Gideon Saar, rejected the criticism outright, particularly from Britain's top diplomat Ed Miliband. Saar asserted the Jewish people's right to live throughout the Land of Israel and accused the UK of adopting a "patronising tone" while ignoring Palestinian extremism. He further stated that the UK's decision to damage bilateral relations was "deeply unfortunate," vowing that Israel would defend its rights and interests. The British government is preparing a "comprehensive set of measures," including potential sanctions, against those involved in settlement expansion.

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The Jewish people have the right to live throughout the Land of Israel, just as the British have the right to live in London and throughout the United Kingdom.