United Kingdom demands immediate halt to Israel's E1 settlement project

The British Foreign Ministry has summoned the Israeli chargé d'affaires to protest the publication of a tender for the ‘E1’ settlement project. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband described the move as ‘unacceptable and destructive,’ warning that the project threatens to sever the West Bank from East Jerusalem and jeopardize the viability of a two-state solution.

Miliband communicated to his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa'ar, that the Israeli government must immediately halt the E1 plans, withdraw the tender, and cease all settlement expansion. The UK government stated that it will not remain idle and intends to announce a ‘comprehensive set of measures’ in the coming weeks to respond to Israeli policies, which may include sanctions against those involved in illegal settlement expansion.

The Israeli movement ‘Peace Now’ reported that the tender allows for bids to build 1,234 settlement units as part of a larger plan for 3,400 units in the E1 area, marking a transition from planning to practical implementation.