European Union: Settlements are illegal — calling on Israel to stop construction plans in E1

The High Representative of the European Union, Kaja Kallas, stated today (Sunday) that "Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including in the E1 area, are illegal under international law." Therefore, Kallas called on the government of Israel to "withdraw the tender and stop its plans in E1."

Kallas has served as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy since she was appointed to the position in 2024. Previously, she headed the government of Estonia.

The UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway published a joint statement last Thursday in which they condemned the Israeli government's decision to publish a tender for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the E1 complex, between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim. The countries called on Israel to reverse the move immediately and stop the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

"The Israeli government's decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project is unacceptable," was written in the joint condemnation statement by the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway.

The seven countries noted that the international community has opposed construction in the area for years and has expressed its grave concern to Israel — both publicly and in closed conversations. According to them, implementing the plan will harm the possibility of reaching a two-state solution, because it will create a barrier in the center of the West Bank and harm the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian territory.

"International law is clear — Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal," the statement said, emphasizing that this is also the position of the international community as affirmed by the UN Security Council.