Joint International Statement Condemning the Settlement Plan "E1" and Demanding Its Immediate Cancellation

Twenty-two countries condemned, in a joint statement issued today, the decision of the Israeli occupation authorities to approve the implementation of the settlement plan known as "E1" in the West Bank, demanding its "immediate cancellation".

The statement, published on the website of the British Foreign and Development Office and signed by foreign ministers from countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, affirmed that this decision is "illegal" and undermines the prospects for peace.

The statement quoted the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, saying: "The decision of the Israeli High Planning Committee to approve plans for building settlements in the E1 area, located east of Jerusalem, is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of international law".

Kallas added in the statement: "The unilateral actions taken by the occupying government undermine the collective desire of European countries for security and prosperity in the Middle East," calling in this context for the occupying government to "stop the construction of settlements, in line with Security Council Resolution 2334, and lift the restrictions imposed on Palestinian Authority funds".

She pointed out that the European Commission encourages the occupying government "to reverse its decision to implement the settlement plan E1", affirming that "the government still has an opportunity to halt its settlement plan".

This international statement comes in response to the announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on the fourteenth of this month, approving the advancement of a long-stalled settlement project to connect the "Ma'ale Adumim" settlement to occupied Jerusalem, stating that it would "bury the idea of establishing a Palestinian state".