8 nations condemn Israeli settlement expansion and E1 project

Eight nations have condemned Israel's continued expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, specifically targeting the E1 project, which aims to build Jewish neighborhoods east of occupied East Jerusalem. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement on Friday expressing their firm opposition to the Israeli policy, which they describe as illegal under international law. They rejected the E1 settlement plan and related activities, emphasizing that such actions threaten the viability of an independent Palestinian state and undermine regional and global peace. The statement reiterated the ministers' condemnation of settler violence and violations against Palestinians, including attacks on their property and persons. They highlighted that these acts are carried out with the backing of Israeli occupation authorities and represent a serious breach of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. The ministers warned that the E1 plan constitutes a dangerous escalation in settlement expansion and annexation, effectively severing the territorial contiguity of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This, they argued, undermines the possibility of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state along the 1967 borders. The ministers also criticized the impact of these measures on international peace efforts, particularly referencing President Donald Trump’s comprehensive peace plan, which explicitly opposes annexation and forced displacement. They noted that current policies contradict Trump’s earlier commitments against West Bank annexation and his vision for resolving the conflict through peaceful means. The joint statement reaffirmed the importance of the two-state solution, grounded in international law and UN resolutions, as the only viable path toward achieving a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace. The eight nations called for immediate action to halt the E1 scheme and reverse any measures that alter the demographic and geographical character of occupied Palestinian land. They urged the UN Security Council and the broader international community to uphold their legal obligations by stopping settlement expansion, protecting the Palestinian people, and ensuring their right to self-determination and statehood. The ministers also supported accountability measures, including international sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for illegal settlement activities and annexation policies, and called for an immediate cessation of all funding that supports settlement establishment or expansion. The statement underscored the need for urgent steps to prevent further destabilization and ensure that the two-state solution remains a central focus of diplomatic efforts. It warned that continued disregard for Palestinian rights and the erosion of the status quo could lead to increased tensions and jeopardize both regional and international stability. The ministers emphasized that the lack of accountability for past violations continues to hinder progress toward a comprehensive resolution of the conflict. The joint declaration reflects growing international concern over the implications of Israeli settlement expansion, particularly its potential to erode the foundations of a future Palestinian state. With the E1 project representing a major step toward dividing the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the call for an immediate halt underscores the urgency of addressing this issue before it becomes irreversible. As the international community watches, the pressure on Israel to comply with international law and respect Palestinian rights intensifies.