UK, Italy, France, Germany condemn Israel’s West Bank settlement plans

The United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany on Thursday condemned Israel's decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, warning the expansion threatens to drive a wedge through the territory and undermine prospects for a two-state solution. The four governments said the E1 development was "unacceptable" and would harm the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian territories, according to a joint statement released in London.

Legal warnings to international businesses

"International Law is clear that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal," the countries said, adding that the UN Security Council had reaffirmed this position. They urged businesses not to bid for construction tenders connected with the project, warning companies to consider potential "legal and reputational consequences" including the risk of involvement in "serious breaches of international law."

Violence and economic concerns

The governments expressed concern about the wider situation in the West Bank, citing "unprecedented levels of violence by settlers against civilians" alongside serious restrictions on the Palestinian economy that have compounded humanitarian challenges. They called on Israel to withdraw the plans immediately and end settlement expansion, noting they had raised these concerns with Israeli officials both privately and publicly over recent months.

Commitment to peace process

"Not only will they take us further from peace, but they further undermine Israel’s international standing," the four powers said, reiterating their commitment to a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution." The statement emphasized that the international community has consistently opposed settlement activity in the occupied territories.