Paris: France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom have collectively opposed the Israeli government's recent decision to advance the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank. They caution that this move could jeopardize the prospects for a two-state solution and further isolate Israel on the global stage.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the four nations issued a joint statement emphasizing the international community's longstanding opposition to Israeli settlement expansion. They highlighted that the community has frequently raised concerns about the potential consequences, both publicly and through diplomatic avenues.
The statement underscored that the E1 project threatens the geographic continuity of Palestinian territories by essentially dividing the West Bank. It warned that such actions pose a significant threat to the formation of a contiguous Palestinian state, thereby undermining the feasibility of a two-state solution.
France, Germany, Italy, and the UK reiterated their stance that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law. This position has been consistently supported by the United Nations Security Council.
The countries expressed significant concern over the project's advancement amid instability in the West Bank, where there are high levels of violence against civilians and severe economic restrictions on Palestinians. They urged Israel to retract the project plans and halt further settlement expansion in the West Bank, warning that such policies could harm Israel's international standing.
The governments also called on companies to refrain from participating in construction tenders for the project, urging them to consider potential legal and reputational repercussions associated with involvement in violations of international law.
France, Germany, Italy, and the UK reaffirmed their dedication to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace through a two-state solution and committed to continuing their efforts toward this goal.