Five Western nations condemn Israel's push forward with E1 settlement
Geopolitics
Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada issued a joint statement condemning Israel's plan to open tenders for the construction of around 1,200 settler housing units in a strategic area of the occupied West Bank, and called on Israel to withdraw the plan immediately, amid concerns that the project will further undermine prospects for a future Palestinian state. The five countries said the decision was unacceptable, especially at a time when the situation in the West Bank is facing severe instability, including settler violence against civilians and restrictions affecting the Palestinian economy. The plan involves a project known as E1, covering about 12 square kilometres between East Jerusalem and the Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, and is seen as potentially dividing the West Bank into northern and southern parts, as well as separating East Jerusalem from surrounding Palestinian areas, which would pose a major obstacle to a two-state solution. Israel's housing ministry opened tenders on Wednesday for the construction of 1,234 housing units, out of a total of 3,401 units approved by the Israeli government last August, despite legal objections from Palestinian Bedouin living in the area and Israeli peace groups. The deadline for submitting bids is 19 October, just days before Israel's general election on 27 October, which could make it harder for a future new government to cancel the process.
