European Powers Denounce Israel's Controversial E1 Settler Plans

France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy have issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s recent announcement to invite bids for the contentious E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank. This project, which aims to build approximately 3,400 homes on a 12-square-kilometer area east of Jerusalem, has been deemed illegal under international law.

The four nations expressed their concerns in a joint statement, highlighting the current instability in the West Bank and rising violence against civilians. They urged Israel to halt its settlement expansion, emphasizing the detrimental impact this decision could have on the Palestinian economy.

Israel’s housing ministry published the tender for over 1,200 housing units on August 18, with bids due by October 19, just ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections on October 27. Critics, including the Israeli NGO Peace Now, argue that this move is an attempt to solidify construction commitments before the elections. The E1 project threatens to further isolate Palestinian-majority areas of east Jerusalem from the West Bank, raising alarms about its implications for Palestinian statehood.

Source: www.france24.com