European powers urge Israel to suspend controversial West Bank settlement expansion

French President Emmanuel Macron joined German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in issuing a joint appeal on Thursday for Israel to immediately suspend its newly announced West Bank settlement expansion plans.

The coordinated diplomatic intervention targets Israel’s recent issuance of construction tenders for over 1,200 housing units within the contentious E1 development zone, located between the existing Ma’ale Adumim settlement and occupied East Jerusalem.

“At a time when the West Bank faces serious instability, with rising levels of settler violence against Palestinian civilians and growing economic pressures on the Palestinian population, this decision is deeply concerning,” the joint statement read.

The four European leaders specifically warned that proceeding with the E1 project would severely compromise prospects for a two-state solution by physically dividing the West Bank and undermining territorial contiguity essential for a viable Palestinian state.

“The E1 development will create a barrier across the West Bank that makes movement between northern and southern areas more difficult while further isolating East Jerusalem,” the statement continued.

Israel first approved the E1 program in August 2025, planning approximately 3,400 housing units across twelve square kilometers of land occupied since 1967. Critics argue the project would effectively partition the West Bank and severely complicate efforts toward Palestinian statehood.

“The E1 settlement will cut the West Bank in two and seriously undermine the viability of a two-state solution,” said Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, adding that such construction activities violate international law and should be halted immediately.

The new Israeli housing tenders, opened on Tuesday with bids due by October 19th—just eight days prior to national elections—have drawn international scrutiny over potential political motivations behind the timing.

In addition to their formal statement, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom issued a direct warning to private companies involved in the construction sector, cautioning them against participating in the E1 development project.

“Companies must not consider bidding for these construction projects,” the joint communique stated bluntly. “They must be aware of the legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of becoming complicit in serious violations of international law.”

The unusually forceful language reflects mounting concern among European policymakers regarding Israel’s continued expansion into disputed territories, as well as broader anxieties about maintaining diplomatic leverage amid escalating regional tensions.

This latest development comes as France continues advocating for renewed negotiations toward Palestinian statehood recognition at the United Nations, aiming to preserve international momentum behind a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.

(with newswires)

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