Joint Leaders' Statement on the E1 West Bank Settlement Plan: 20 August 2026
Twenty-four nations and the European Commission condemned Israel’s E1 West Bank settlement tenders, calling the plan illegal under international law and a threat to a two-state solution.
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and 20 other states, alongside the European Commission, issued a joint statement on 20 August 2026 opposing Israel’s decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement in the West Bank. The statement described the move as unacceptable and reiterated the long-standing international position that Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law, as affirmed by United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The leaders warned that the E1 project would sever the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian Territories, undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state and the two-state solution. They noted that the timing of the decision coincided with heightened violence by settlers against civilians and severe restrictions on the Palestinian economy, further destabilising the region.
The signatories urged the Government of Israel to withdraw the tenders immediately and halt all settlement expansion in the West Bank. They emphasised that continued settlement activity would not only impede peace efforts but also erode Israel’s standing in the international community.
The statement cautioned businesses against participating in the construction tenders, highlighting potential legal and reputational risks, including involvement in serious breaches of international law. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution and pledged to continue acting in its interest.