In a decisive move, the British government summoned Israel's charge d'affaires to the Foreign Office, demanding an immediate halt to the controversial E1 West Bank settlement project. Foreign Minister Ed Miliband described the move as 'an unacceptable and destructive act' that endangers the viability of a two-state solution. Israel's decision to open bidding for over 1,200 homes in the E1 area, a parcel of land east of Jerusalem, has drawn international condemnation.
The E1 plan, green-lit by Israel last year, seeks to build around 3,400 homes on a 12-square-kilometre tract of land between Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim. The project would further separate East Jerusalem, predominantly inhabited by Palestinians, from the West Bank. Miliband called for the immediate retraction of the tender and cessation of all settlement expansion, emphasizing that 'Britain will not stand back and accept the destruction of the two-state solution.'
The British government pledged to unveil a comprehensive set of measures, including sanctions targeting individuals involved in the 'illegal settlement expansion.' Last year, Britain joined 20 other countries in condemning the E1 project, calling it a violation of international law and urging Israel to reverse the decision. The West Bank, home to around three million Palestinians and about 500,000 Israeli settlers, remains a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The latest tender, covering more than 1,200 housing units, was published by Israel's housing ministry on August 18 and opened for bids immediately. According to Israeli NGO Peace Now, submissions are due by October 19, one week before Israeli elections scheduled for October 27. The group accused the government of attempting to advance construction commitments before the vote, further complicating the already tense political climate.
The E1 project has been a point of contention for years, with critics arguing it undermines the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state. The United Nations Secretary-General previously described the plan as posing an 'existential threat' to a viable Palestinian state. As international pressure mounts, the future of the E1 project remains uncertain, with significant implications for the region's stability and the prospects for peace.
