European heads of government have rejected the Israeli government’s decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project in the West Bank, describing the move as “unacceptable.”
The leaders of the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands issued a joint statement on Thursday condemning Israel’s action.
They pointed to the firm opposition of the international community, which has long objected to the expansion of settlements and voiced serious concerns both privately and publicly.
The leaders said the E1 settlement project would weaken prospects for a two-state solution, sow discord across the West Bank and undermine the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian territories.
“International law is clear that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal.
“This is the position of the international community, reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council,” the statement read.
The Western leaders said the project was particularly alarming amid instability in the West Bank,
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