Jerusalem: Israel’s move to advance a major settlement project in the occupied West Bank has triggered strong international condemnation, with several countries warning that the plan could further undermine prospects for a viable Palestinian state, according to Al Jazeera.
Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway jointly condemned Israel’s decision to open tenders for more than 1,200 housing units under the E1 settlement project. The countries said the development would threaten the territorial continuity of the occupied Palestinian territories and urged Israel to immediately halt the plans.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also rejected the expansion of Israeli settlements, calling for international action to prevent further violations. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the project would seriously damage the possibility of a geographically connected Palestinian homeland and accused Israel of disregarding international opposition to its settlement policies.
The United Nations has likewise raised alarm over the development. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Secretary-General António Guterres was deeply concerned by reports of new Israeli settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, including the latest construction tenders.
The E1 project, expected to eventually include at least 3,400 housing units, covers around 12 square kilometres of Palestinian land between occupied East Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement. Palestinians and international critics have long warned that its implementation would effectively divide the West Bank and sever its territorial connection with East Jerusalem.
Israel approved the project last year, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich celebrating the decision as a major step towards preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state.