Europe, Canada Condemn Israel’s New West Bank Settlement Plans

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway have strongly condemned Israel’s decision to move ahead with the controversial E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank.

In a joint statement, the countries described Israel’s plan to open construction tenders for more than 1,200 housing units as “unacceptable”, warning that it could undermine the territorial continuity of the Palestinian territories.

The countries also warned that those involved in the project could face legal and reputational consequences and urged Israel to immediately withdraw the plans and stop expanding settlements in the West Bank.

Egypt also rejected the settlement expansion, calling on the international community to take serious measures to prevent what it described as violations of international law.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the project could seriously damage prospects for a geographically connected Palestinian state. He accused Israel of abandoning even the appearance of pursuing peace or respecting the wishes of the international community.

The United Nations has also expressed concern. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Secretary-General António Guterres was “deeply alarmed” by reports of new Israeli settlement outposts and construction tenders in the occupied West Bank.

The E1 project is expected to eventually include at least 3,400 housing units and would connect occupied East Jerusalem with the Maale Adumim settlement area across about 12 square kilometres of Palestinian land.

Critics say the development could effectively divide the West Bank and sever its connection with East Jerusalem, which Palestinians seek as the capital of a future independent state.

Israel approved the E1 settlement plan last year, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich describing the move as historic.

The latest expansion comes amid growing violence and displacement in the West Bank. UN humanitarian research has found that more Palestinians were forcibly displaced during the first four months of 2026 through settler attacks, demolitions and evictions than throughout the whole of 2025.

Human Rights Watch has also warned that dozens of Palestinian communities are at risk of being erased as settlement expansion and settler violence continue.

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