The planned E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank has prompted a joint appeal to the Israeli government from the European Commission and seven countries. Greece, Austria, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and Belgium called on Israel to abandon the project.
The appeal came a day after the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway issued a statement. The number of countries calling for the E1 decision to be reversed has thus reached 14, in addition to the European Commission.
Von der Leyen warns over two-state solution
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described Israel’s decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 project as “unacceptable.” She said the project could divide the West Bank and fragment the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian territories.
Von der Leyen said the European Commission remained committed to the goal of a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution. She warned that Israel’s plan could weaken the prospects for a two-state solution.
Joint statement highlights legal status of settlements
The joint statement said that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank violate international law. It described this as the position of the international community, reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council.
The statement said the E1 decision was even more concerning at a time when unprecedented levels of settler violence against civilians and serious restrictions on the Palestinian economy continued in the West Bank.
The European Commission and the countries called on the Israeli government to immediately withdraw the plans and end the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. The joint statement argued that these steps would move the parties further away from peace and further undermine Israel’s international standing.
