SAFA- The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the European Commission, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Austria, and Greece have jointly condemned Israel’s decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, calling the move “unacceptable.”

The leaders said the international community has repeatedly opposed settlement expansion and warned that the E1 project would undermine prospects for a two-state solution by fragmenting the West Bank and disrupting the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian territories.

They reaffirmed that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, noting that this position has been repeatedly upheld by the international community and reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council.

The statement also expressed concern over the decision amid grave violations in the West Bank, including unprecedented levels of settler violence against civilians and severe restrictions affecting the Palestinian economy.

The leaders called on the Israeli government to immediately withdraw the plans and end settlement expansion across the West Bank, warning that such measures would further distance the region from peace and undermine Israel’s international standing.

They also urged businesses not to participate in the construction tenders, warning of potential legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of involvement in serious breaches of international law.

The leaders reiterated their commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution and pledged to continue working toward that objective.