EU urges Israel to cancel E1 settlement housing tender

The European Union has called on the Israeli government to withdraw a tender for the construction of more than 1,200 homes as part of the E1 settlement project. European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stated that the project would divide the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem, thereby undermining the viability of a two-state solution.

El Anouni noted that the expansion is occurring amid rising instability and record levels of violence by settlers in the West Bank. He reaffirmed the EU's position that settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, including the E1 area, are illegal under international law. The bloc maintains its commitment to a two-state solution based on UN Security Council resolutions, envisioning Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security within recognized borders.