Israel’s decision to open tenders for the construction of 1,200 settlement homes in the highly sensitive E1 area of the occupied West Bank has triggered sharp condemnation from major Western allies, who warn the move threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state. Please confirm all political information with a trusted source.
In a joint statement, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Canada called the decision “unacceptable” and urged Israel to retract the plans immediately. The E1 zone, located between East Jerusalem and the settlement of Maale Adumim, has long been considered a red line by Israel’s partners because development there would effectively split the West Bank in two, isolating East Jerusalem and severely undermining hopes for a two‑state solution.
The statement warned that the move comes at a moment of “grave instability” in the West Bank, marked by unprecedented levels of settler violence and deep restrictions on the Palestinian economy.
“Not only will these plans take us further from peace, but they further undermine Israel’s international standing,” the allies said.
The UN secretary general echoed the alarm, describing the E1 plan as an “existential threat” to a contiguous Palestinian state. Belgium’s foreign minister issued a similar warning.
Despite legal challenges from Bedouin Palestinians living in the area and Israeli peace groups, Israel’s housing ministry on Wednesday issued a tender for 1,234 of the 3,401 housing units approved last August. The tender covers roughly 12 sq km (4.6 sq miles) of land.
At the time of the plan’s unveiling, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a hardline ultranationalist and prominent settler leader, declared that the idea of a Palestinian state was “being erased.”
The deadline for bids is 19 October, just days before Israel’s 27 October general election, making it significantly harder for any future government to reverse the tenders once issued.
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