Eight nations led by Türkiye condemn Israel's E1 settlement plan

Foreign ministers from Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement on Friday rejecting Israel's settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. The eight nations "unequivocally" condemned Israel's continued "illegal settlement policies" and categorically rejected the E1 plan located east of occupied East Jerusalem, according to the statement.

Violence and international law

The ministers also condemned escalating violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property, noting that such acts blatantly violate international law and relevant UN resolutions. These actions pose a serious and growing threat to regional stability and international peace and security, they added.

Threat to Palestinian statehood

The E1 plan constitutes a "dangerous escalation" that advances settlement expansion and de facto annexation while systematically undermining the geographical contiguity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly between the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the ministers warned. The plan directly threatens the viability of establishing an independent and contiguous Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, the statement noted.

The ministers said such unilateral actions directly challenge ongoing international efforts to achieve peace, including US President Donald Trump's Comprehensive Plan and its explicit rejection of annexation and forced displacement. They reaffirmed that the two-state solution, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, remains "the only viable path" toward a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

Calls for sanctions

The eight nations expressed firm support for accountability measures, including appropriate international sanctions against entities and individuals responsible for illegal settlement activities as well as those actively supporting, facilitating or implementing settlement expansion and annexation policies. They also called for an immediate end to all governmental or private support and financing that contributes to the establishment, expansion or entrenchment of illegal settlements.

The ministers urged immediate action to halt the E1 plan, rescind all measures taken in connection with it and cease settlement activities aimed at altering the geographic and demographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They called on the UN Security Council, states and other international actors to take "urgent and effective measures" to halt illegal settlement expansion, protect Palestinian civilians and safeguard their fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination and an independent state.