The European Commission and seven additional countries called on Israel on Friday to immediately withdraw its plans concerning the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated Israel's decision to publish tenders for construction within the E1 project is "unacceptable." Von der Leyen warned the E1 project "compromet la solution à deux États en divisant la Cisjordanie et en rompant la continuité territoriale des territoires palestiniens" and would compromise the prospects of a two-state solution. She added, "Nous nous sommes depuis longtemps opposés à cette mesure." The declaration urges the Israeli government to reverse its decision. The European Commission seeks "une paix juste et durable fondée sur la solution à deux États."
International Condemnation Mounts
Greece, Austria, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and Belgium joined the declaration condemning the E1 settlement project. The declaration was initially published on Thursday by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway. The joint declaration asserts that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law. "Le droit international est clair : les colonies israéliennes en Cisjordanie sont illégales. C’est la position de la communauté internationale réaffirmée par le Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies," the declaration states.
The joint statement also urges the Israeli government to immediately withdraw these plans and end the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. "À un moment de grave instabilité en Cisjordanie, marqué par des niveaux sans précédent de violences de la part de colons contre des civils et par de sévères restrictions imposées à l’économie palestinienne, cette décision est d’autant plus préoccupante," the declaration noted. It concludes, "Nous exhortons le gouvernement israélien à retirer immédiatement ces projets et à mettre fin à l’expansion des colonies en Cisjordanie. Non seulement ils nous éloigneront davantage de la paix, mais ils affaibliront encore davantage la position internationale d’Israël."
Concerns Over Two-State Solution
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated the E1 project "compromises the two-state solution by dividing the West Bank and breaking the territorial continuity of the Palestinian territories." The European Commission reiterated its commitment to "une paix juste et durable fondée sur la solution à deux États" (a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution). The declaration emphasized that international law is clear regarding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, deeming them illegal, a position consistently reaffirmed by the UN Security Council. The declaration further noted that the decision to advance the E1 project is particularly concerning given the severe instability in the West Bank. This period is marked by unprecedented levels of settler violence against civilians and severe restrictions imposed on the Palestinian economy.
Broader Implications of E1
The declaration issued by the European Commission and its allies asserts that advancing the E1 project will have significant negative consequences beyond the immediate territorial impact. According to the joint statement, the settlement plans "not only will move us further from peace, but will further weaken Israel's international standing." This collective assessment shows the diplomatic fallout anticipated should Israel proceed with construction in the area. The international community's concern reflects a view that such actions undermine efforts towards a resolution and isolate Israel on the global stage.