Multiple Nations Condemn Israel's E1 Settlement Plans in West Bank

A coalition of nations, including eight Muslim majority states and several European and Pacific countries, have condemned Israel's plans to advance construction in the E1 settlement zone of the West Bank. The eight Muslim states, which include Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye, Indonesia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, issued a joint statement rejecting the E1 plan and related activities east of occupied East Jerusalem. They described the plan as a dangerous escalation that threatens the viability of an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 lines. Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and Belgium also joined the condemnation, stating that the construction could jeopardize a two state solution.

The joint statement from the Muslim states characterized the E1 plan as a direct challenge to peace efforts, specifically citing Donald Trump's comprehensive plan and its rejection of annexation and forced displacement. These nations called for international accountability, including sanctions against those responsible for settlement expansion, and urged the UN Security Council to take effective measures to protect Palestinian rights. Meanwhile, reports indicate the specific bidding plan involves the construction of 1,234 homes in the zone surrounding Jerusalem.