21.08.2025 22:33
While the UK and 21 international partners oppose Israel's E1 Project, which will expand its occupation of Palestinian territories, they have called for an immediate reversal of this decision. The joint statement emphasized that Israel's unilateral actions would harm peace.
England and 21 international partners condemned the approval decision of Israel's "E1 Project," which will expand its occupation of Palestinian territories, calling for the immediate reversal of this decision.
WARNING TO ISRAEL ON "E1 PROJECT" FROM WESTERN COUNTRIES
22 partners, including the UK, Canada, and the EU, made a joint statement regarding the occupied Palestinian territories.
The statement said, "The decision of the Israeli High Planning Committee to approve settlement construction plans in the E1 area east of Jerusalem is unacceptable and a violation of international law. We condemn this decision and strongly call for its immediate reversal."
"WILL NOT BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL"
Referring to the words of Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who stated that this plan would make a two-state solution impossible by dividing any Palestinian state and restricting Palestinians' access to Jerusalem, the statement noted: "This will not benefit the people of Israel. On the contrary, it risks undermining security and drives us further away from peace, fueling more violence and instability. The Israeli government still has an opportunity to prevent the E1 plan from advancing.
"IMMEDIATELY WITHDRAW THE PLAN"
We urge them to urgently withdraw this plan. The unilateral actions of the Israeli government undermine our shared desire for security and prosperity in the Middle East. The Israeli government must halt settlement construction in accordance with United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2334 and lift restrictions on the financial resources of the Palestinian Authority."
The joint statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK, as well as the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
"E1 PROJECT" THAT WILL EXPAND THE OCCUPATION IN PALESTINE
The "E1 Project" was initiated to connect the "Ma'ale Adumim" settlement, built near the Palestinian neighborhood of Azariyeh, which historically is part of East Jerusalem but is located in the West Bank section of the Separation Wall (Wall of Shame), to the road leading to West Jerusalem.
In this context, 12,000 acres of Palestinian land were seized to build more than 4,000 illegal housing units and hotels in the area. The "E1 Project" aims to sever and isolate the connection of East Jerusalem to the Palestinian territories in the West Bank.