The Israeli plan for extensive construction in the E1 area near Jerusalem has triggered another strong international reaction. Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway jointly called on the Israeli government to immediately halt the project. According to these countries, the construction would seriously damage the territorial contiguity of Palestinian areas and further distance the possibility of a two-state solution.
Israel is facing increasing diplomatic pressure due to the planned construction in the controversial E1 area between East Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Ma'ale Adumim on the occupied West Bank.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, August 20th, leaders of Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway described the Israeli government's decision to issue tenders for the E1 project as "unacceptable." The official document includes seven countries, although the original TASS news agency report in the headline mentioned only Germany, Britain, France, and Italy.
According to the joint statement, the international community has long opposed the expansion of construction in this area.
“The E1 project will damage the prospects for a two-state solution by creating a wedge across the West Bank and disrupting the territorial contiguity of Palestinian territories,” said representatives from the seven countries.
Why is the E1 area so important?
E1 is a relatively undeveloped area east of Jerusalem, between the Israeli city and the large settlement of Ma'ale Adumim. The project is politically extremely sensitive, primarily due to its location.
Critics point out that extensive Israeli construction in the area would significantly complicate the geographical connection between the northern and southern parts of the future Palestinian state, while also separating East Jerusalem from other Palestinian territories.
The Peace Now organization, which has long monitored Israeli settlement policy, states that the tender concerns the construction of 3,401 housing units. According to an updated schedule, bids were opened on August 5, 2026, and the deadline is set for October 5th. In addition, Israel is also planning a new commercial and industrial zone in E1.
The project has been under discussion for more than two decades, and in the past, it has repeatedly been slowed down or frozen due to strong international pressure.
Seven countries also warn construction companies
The joint statement goes beyond simply calling on the Israeli government. The signatories also warned private companies not to participate in tenders for construction in E1.
According to them, companies should consider potential legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of being involved in a serious violation of international law.
European countries, Canada, and Norway simultaneously emphasized that their concerns are reinforced by the current situation on the West Bank, where they say there is an unprecedented level of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians and serious restrictions on the Palestinian economy.
“We call on the Israeli government to immediately withdraw these plans and end the expansion of settlements in the West Bank,” the joint document states. According to the signatories, further construction not only distances the possibility of a peaceful solution but also damages Israel's international standing.
Smotrich wanted to "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state
The E1 project gained new political significance in August 2025 when Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly announced its resumption. The far-right politician, who also has significant influence on settlement policy in the West Bank, openly linked the construction to blocking the creation of a Palestinian state.
Smotrich stated that the creation of a new reality in this area would "definitively bury" the idea of a Palestinian state. The project, which includes more than 3,400 apartments, previously sparked strong criticism from Palestinians, European countries, and international organizations.
The UN considers settlements to be a violation of international law
The UN Security Council adopted resolution number 2334 in December 2016, according to which Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity and constitute a serious violation of international law.
The resolution also called on Israel to immediately and completely halt all settlement activity. In June 2026, the UN stated that this had not happened and that the expansion of settlements continues.
Israel has long rejected parts of the international legal conclusions regarding settlements and considers the status of the West Bank to be disputed. At the same time, the current government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promoting a significant expansion of Israeli presence in this territory.
The dispute over E1 is therefore far more than just a matter of a few thousand new apartments. It concerns one of the most geographically and politically sensitive areas of the entire Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If the project is implemented on the planned scale, critics warn that the possibility of creating a territorially contiguous Palestinian state will become even more difficult.