# Israel advances E1 settlement project amid diplomatic rift

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-security-forces-intensify-arrests-and-tunnel-raids-against-militant-smuggling-and-espionage-
> Updated: 2026-09-17T09:12:50.000Z. Sources: 362. Developments: 47.

Following the August deadline for the E1 settlement tender, diplomatic tensions have escalated. In mid-September, the European Union began discussing new sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, citing a rise in violence and forced displacement. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated the Council is considering further designations to complement three existing sanction packages, emphasizing that accountability is required to curb settler violence. Kallas reiterated that the E1 settlement project near East Jerusalem poses a ‘serious threat to the viability of a two-state solution.’

In response to Western moves regarding settlement sanctions, Israel ordered the closure of the United Kingdom’s consulate in occupied East Jerusalem. Additionally, Israel ended British training for Palestinian Authority security forces and removed British staff from the Gaza coordination center in Kiryat Gat.

On September 16, Israeli authorities announced a new tender for 2,167 settlement units as part of the E1 project, scheduled to open on October 25, two days before the Israeli elections. This follows an August tender for 1,234 units, together covering the full scope of approved residential plans for the area. The project also includes a commercial and employment zone. While the Jerusalem Central District Court recently rejected a request to freeze a previous tender, legal challenges against the overall plan remain under consideration.

The Palestinian Presidency warned that these measures represent a ‘dangerous escalation’ and a ‘flagrant violation of international law.’ Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh stated the plans threaten Palestinian territorial unity and the possibility of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, calling on the international community to take practical steps to halt settlement activities.

## Claims

- Seven nations issued a joint statement calling for the immediate withdrawal of the E1 settlement plans. (disputed by 13 sources)
- Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden issued a joint statement criticizing the E1 settlement plans. (disputed by 3 sources)
- The E1 settlement plan could sever the connection between East Jerusalem and the West Bank, threatening the two-state solution. (corroborated by 26 sources)
- Israel has opened tenders for the construction of approximately 1,200 to 1,400 housing units in the E1 area of the West Bank. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- The E1 settlement project is an unacceptable and destructive act. (corroborated by 17 sources)
- The E1 settlement expansion is viewed by several countries as a threat to the two-state solution. (corroborated by 17 sources)
- The E1 project aims to build a total of 3,400 settlement units. (corroborated by 15 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-17: Palestinian Presidency warns of Israeli settlement plans in E1 area

Palestinian Presidency spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh warned that Israeli plans for 3,701 settlement units in the E1 area violate international law and threaten Palestinian territorial contiguity.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palestinian-presidency-warns-of-israeli-settlement-plans-in-e1-area

### 2026-09-16: E1 settlement project: Israel issues new tender for 2,167 housing units

Israel is advancing the E1 settlement project by opening tenders for 2,167 housing units, completing the plan for 3,401 units just two days before parliamentary elections.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-advances-e1-settlement-project-with-new-tender-for-2167-units

### 2026-09-15: European Union discusses new sanctions against Israeli settlers

The EU is discussing new sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank, while Kaja Kallas warns that the Gaza ceasefire is ‘in name only’ amid a deteriorating humanitarian crisis.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-and-western-nations-pursue-sanctions-against-israeli-settlers

### 2026-09-14: France and Ireland lead efforts to ban trade from Israeli settlements

France and the UK join Canada in planning a trade ban on Israeli settlement products, while Ireland becomes the first EU nation to officially implement such import restrictions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-and-ireland-lead-efforts-to-ban-trade-from-israeli-settlements

### 2026-09-09: European Union reaffirms West Bank settlements are illegal under international law

The EU reaffirms that West Bank settlements are illegal under international law, amid discussions regarding potential trade bans and sanctions by members like the UK, France, and Canada.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-union-reaffirms-west-bank-settlements-are-illegal-under-international-law

### 2026-09-07: Israel faces international pressure over settlements and Gaza displacement calls

Twelve nations are considering trade restrictions on Israeli West Bank settlements, while Indonesia and several Arab-Islamic nations condemn Israeli calls for the forced displacement of Gazans.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-faces-international-pressure-over-settlements-and-gaza-displacement-calls

### 2026-09-06: France bans imports from Israeli colonies in West Bank

France has banned imports from Israeli colonies in the West Bank, a move joined by eleven other nations, sparking sharp criticism from Israeli officials regarding France's stance on the Palestinian cause.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-proposes-eu-trade-restrictions-on-israeli-settlements

### 2026-09-03: European Union divided over potential sanctions on Israeli settlement goods

EU foreign ministers are split over proposed trade sanctions on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, with Ireland leading calls for restrictions and Germany opposing them.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-union-divided-over-potential-sanctions-on-israeli-settlement-goods

### 2026-09-01: Israeli bulldozers uproot olive trees in West Bank

Israeli military-supervised bulldozers uprooted dozens of decades-old olive trees near Arraba in the West Bank, an action local landowners are contesting.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-bulldozers-uproot-olive-trees-in-west-bank

### 2026-08-29: Ireland leads EU push for sanctions on Israeli settlements

Ireland is pushing for a unified EU response to Israeli actions in the West Bank, including expanded sanctions on settlers and a ban on settlement goods entering the European Union.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ireland-leads-eu-push-for-sanctions-on-israeli-settlements

### 2026-08-29: Israel issues tender for E1 settlement units in West Bank

Israel has opened a tender for 1,234 housing units in the E1 area of the West Bank, a move critics say will sever Palestinian territorial continuity and undermine a two-state solution.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-issues-tender-for-e1-settlement-units-in-west-bank

### 2026-08-24: EU urges Israel to halt E1 settlement project in West Bank

The EU has urged Israel to cancel the E1 settlement project to protect the two-state solution, while UN Secretary-General Guterres condemned Israel's takeover of a UNRWA training center in East Jerusalem.

27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-union-urges-israel-to-halt-e1-settlement-construction

### 2026-08-22: Israeli settlement expansion and Nablus siege spark international condemnation

Israeli settlers have besieged Palestinian homes in Nablus for 15 days, while eight Islamic nations condemn the ‘E-1’ settlement plan as a dangerous escalation threatening Palestinian statehood.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-settlement-expansion-and-nablus-siege-spark-international-condemnation

### 2026-08-22: Egypt warns E1 settlement project threatens Palestinian continuity

Egypt reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian Authority during talks with PM Mohammad Mustafa, warning that the E1 settlement project threatens Palestinian geographic continuity and East Jerusalem.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/egypt-warns-e1-settlement-project-threatens-palestinian-continuity

### 2026-08-21: European Union considers sanctions against Israel over settlements and rhetoric

The EU and UK are increasing pressure on Israel through potential sanctions and diplomatic condemnation following settlement expansion in the E1 corridor and inflammatory remarks by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-union-considers-sanctions-against-israel-over-settlements-and-rhetoric

### 2026-08-21: Israel issues E1 settlement tenders, drawing international condemnation

Israel has issued tenders for 1,234 settlement units in the E1 area of the West Bank, drawing intense international condemnation for threatening the viability of a two-state solution.

44 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-nations-demand-israel-halt-west-bank-settlement-expansion

### 2026-08-19: West Bank E1 settlement plan sparks widespread international condemnation

Israel has opened tenders for over 1,200 housing units in the E1 area of the West Bank, sparking intense international condemnation from European and Muslim-majority nations over threats to a two-state solution

185 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-e1-settlement-project-draws-condemnation-from-palestinian-authority-and-germany

### 2026-08-06: West Bank olive trees uprooted amid Israeli military orders

Israeli forces have issued orders to uproot olive trees across 316 dunams in the West Bank, targeting land in Jenin, Nablus, and Jerusalem ahead of the olive harvest season.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-military-orders-tree-removal-in-west-bank-amid-settlement-expansion

### 2026-07-28: Israeli Military Seizes Over 22 Dunams in West Bank Villages

Israel issued four orders to seize over 22 dunams in Araba and Qabatiya, part of a 2026 pattern of land expropriation totalling thousands of dunams in the West Bank.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-military-seizes-over-22-dunams-in-west-bank-villages

### 2026-07-23: Israel upgrades West Bank settlement status and conducts large‑scale raids

Israel upgraded Givat Ze'ev to city status, extending settlement privileges, while the army launched wide‑scale raids across the West Bank after clashes that killed four Palestinians and two Israelis.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-upgrades-west-bank-settlement-status-and-conducts-largescale-raids

### 2026-07-23: Israel approves 6,000‑dunam settlement expansion in West Bank

Israel's Gush Etzion council approved a 6,000‑dunam settlement expansion near Tekoa, adding housing, tourism, commercial and agricultural zones, part of a broader West Bank land seizure deemed illegal under int

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-approves-6000dunam-settlement-expansion-in-west-bank

### 2026-07-21: Israeli Military Issues Record Hand Placement Orders for West Bank Settlement Roads

Israel issued seven hand‑placement orders in a week, earmarking 89,514 dunams of Palestinian land for settlement roads and barriers across the West Bank, signaling an intensified settlement expansion strategy.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-military-issues-record-hand-placement-orders-for-west-bank-settlement-roads

### 2026-07-19: Israeli military orders seizure of 16.5 dunams in south Nablus for settlement road

Israel has ordered the seizure of 16.5 dunams in south Nablus to build a road linking Migdalim and Ish Kodesh settlements, citing military purposes but viewed by Palestinians as settlement expansion.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-military-orders-seizure-of-165-dunams-in-south-nablus-for-settlement-road

### 2026-07-18: Israel expands Beit El settlement with new land seizure near Ramallah

Israel issued a military order seizing 16.6 dunams near Ramallah, expanding the Beit El settlement’s security zone and restricting Palestinian farming, part of a wider pattern of land seizures.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-expands-beit-el-settlement-with-new-land-seizure-near-ramallah

### 2026-07-17: Israel expands West Bank settlements, tightens Palestinian movement

Since Oct 7 2023 Israel has killed 1,200 Palestinians, razed refugee camps, displaced 40,000, added 30 settlements and 2,721 housing units, tightened the Hussein Bridge crossing, and threatened the Solomon’s P​

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-expands-west-bank-settlements-tightens-palestinian-movement

### 2026-07-12: Israel upgrades West Bank settlement Givat Ze'ev to city status

Israel designated the West Bank settlement Givat Ze'ev a city, granting it expanded powers and funding amid ongoing settlement expansion.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-upgrades-west-bank-settlement-givat-zeev-to-city-status

### 2026-07-11: Israel creates heritage authority to push West Bank annexation and settlement

Israel passed a law creating a West Bank heritage authority, allocating 250 M shekels for sites and tourism to bolster annexation, while reclassifying 140+ archaeological locations and advancing settlement‑adj​

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-creates-heritage-authority-to-push-west-bank-annexation-and-settlement

### 2026-07-04: Israel expands West Bank settlement control with 114 military orders

Israel issued 114 military orders since Oct 2023, seizing ~25,000 dunams, creating 53 settlements, expanding into Area A, and pushing a new archaeology authority to re‑classify sites, deepening West Bank annex‑

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-issues-114-military-orders-to-expand-west-bank-settlements

### 2026-07-02: Israel advances West Bank annexation plan and launches widespread raids

Israel approved a budget to shift West Bank land registration to its civil system, legalising annexation, while simultaneous raids detained dozens of Palestinians across the territory.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-advances-west-bank-annexation-plan-and-launches-widespread-raids

### 2026-07-02: Israel expands West Bank settlements as diaspora Jews grapple with rising anti‑Zionism

Israel adds new West Bank settlements and military bases while diaspora Jews in the US and UK face rising anti‑Zionism pressures.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-expands-west-bank-settlements-as-diaspora-jews-grapple-with-rising-antizionism

### 2026-06-30: Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich Drives Massive West Bank Settlement Expansion

Finance Minister Smotrich calls West Bank settlement surge a “revolution,” approving 160 farms and 100+ new settlements, targeting 60,000 housing units and expanding Israeli control.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-finance-minister-smotrich-drives-massive-west-bank-settlement-expansion

### 2026-06-29: Israel transfers control of Hebron's Cave of the Patriarchs to Israeli authorities, sparking Palestinian protests

Israel's far‑right finance minister announced the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron will shift to Israeli administration, prompting Palestinian protests over increased settlement control.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-transfers-control-of-hebrons-cave-of-the-patriarchs-to-israeli-authorities-sparking-palestini

### 2026-06-28: Israel Takes Control of Hebron's Tomb of Patriarchs, Violates Oslo Accord

Israel transferred urban‑planning control of Hebron's Tomb of the Patriarchs to its civil authorities, ending the 1997 Hebron Protocol and sparking Palestinian accusations of violating the Oslo Accord and the “

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-takes-control-of-hebrons-tomb-of-patriarchs-violates-oslo-accord

### 2026-06-27: Israeli settlement expansion reshapes northern West Bank geography

Israel is expanding 18 settlements in the northern West Bank, building new roads to split Palestinian towns, seizing 24,000 dunams of farmland and earmarking hundreds of millions of shekels for the program.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-settlement-expansion-reshapes-northern-west-bank-geography

### 2026-06-26: Israel pushes settlement-backed archaeology expansion in West Bank

Israel allocated 250 million shekels to expand archaeology sites in the West Bank, a move settlers say preserves heritage but critics view as annexation that has destroyed Palestinian homes and displacedfamilie

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-expands-settlement-backed-archaeology-program-in-west-bank-displacing-palestinians

### 2026-06-25: Israel declares West Bank land as state property for settlement expansion

Israel designated over 900 dunams of West Bank land as state property, expanding the Givat Haroeh settlement and linking it to nearby settlements, a move criticised as illegal under international law.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-declares-west-bank-land-as-state-property-for-settlement-expansion

### 2026-06-21: Palestinian Council Head Rohi Fattouh Condemns Israeli Calls for Full Gaza Control and Settlement

Palestinian council leader Rohi Fattouh condemned Israeli finance minister Smotrich’s call for full Gaza control and settlement, calling it an apartheid‑driven colonisation program and urging international bans

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palestinian-council-head-rohi-fattouh-condemns-israeli-calls-for-full-gaza-control-and-settlement

### 2026-06-16: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announces historic Hebron building plan and takes control of Cave of the Patri

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced new Hebron building plans and Israeli administration of the Cave of the Patriarchs, reversing the 1997 agreement and sparking Palestinian protests.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-finance-minister-bezalel-smotrich-announces-historic-hebron-building-plan-and-takes-control-

### 2026-06-14: Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich Calls for Unilateral Sovereignty Claim over West Bank

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged a unilateral sovereignty declaration over the occupied West Bank before elections, calling it a response to international criticism and linking it to recent raids

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-finance-minister-smotrich-calls-for-unilateral-sovereignty-claim-over-west-bank

### 2026-06-11: Israel to fund 61 new settlements in the West Bank

Israel plans to allocate over $350 million to build 61 new West Bank settlements, a step seen as illegal under international law and likely to heighten tensions ahead of elections.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-to-fund-61-new-settlements-in-the-west-bank

### 2026-06-10: Israel to approve $350 million plan for 61 new West Bank settlements

Israel plans to fund 61 new West Bank settlements with a $350 million package while demolition of over 260 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem has surged, drawing worldwide criticism.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-approves-new-west-bank-settlements-and-escalates-east-jerusalem-evictions

### 2026-06-10: Israel expands evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem

Israel has intensified home demolitions in East Jerusalem, with over 260 structures razed in 2025—a 70% rise—while Palestinian permit approvals remain low, amid reduced U.S. pressure.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-expands-evictions-and-demolitions-in-east-jerusalem

### 2026-06-09: Israel to fund 61 new West Bank settlements

Israel will spend over $350 million to create 61 new settlements in the West Bank, a major expansion amid EU sanctions on settlement-related violations.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-allocates-350-million-to-build-61-new-west-bank-settlements

### 2026-05-29: Israel forces Palestinian family to demolish home in East Jerusalem

Israeli officials gave a Palestinian family three days to self‑demolish their East Jerusalem home during Eid, part of a wider crackdown that has seen over 200 homes razed this year.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-forces-palestinian-family-to-demolish-home-in-east-jerusalem

### 2026-05-19: Bezalel Smotrich Faces ICC Arrest Warrant as He Orders Demolition of Khan al‑Ahmar

ICC seeks arrest warrant for Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich; he retaliates by ordering demolition of the Palestinian village Khan al‑Ahmar.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-minister-bezalel-smotrich-orders-demolition-of-west-bank-village-after-icc-warrant

### 2026-05-17: Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich orders West Bank village evacuation amid ICC warrant threat

Smotrich orders evacuation of Khan al‑Ahmar, citing a secret ICC arrest‑warrant request as a “declaration of war.”

22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/icc-seeks-arrest-warrants-for-israeli-ministers-bengvir-smotrich

### 2026-05-16: Israel expands settlement in Jerusalem's Old City, forcing Palestinian families to demolish homes

Israel orders mass demolitions in Jerusalem's Old City for a heritage project and seizes property on Chain Street, displacing Palestinian families.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-expands-settlement-in-jerusalems-old-city-forcing-palestinian-families-to-demolish-homes

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Cite as: Israel advances E1 settlement project amid diplomatic rift. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-security-forces-intensify-arrests-and-tunnel-raids-against-militant-smuggling-and-espionage-