AMMAN, August 20, 2026 (WAFA) — France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom on Thursday rejected the Israeli government's decision to issue new tenders to implement the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, warning that the project undermines prospects for a two-state solution and further isolates Israel internationally.
In a joint statement, the four countries said the international community has long opposed Israeli settlement expansion and has repeatedly expressed concerns over its consequences, both publicly and through diplomatic channels.
They stressed that implementing the E1 project would undermine the geographic contiguity of Palestinian territory by effectively cutting across the occupied West Bank, threatening the possibility of establishing a geographically contiguous Palestinian state and, consequently, undermining the viability of a two-state solution.
France, Germany, Italy and the UK reaffirmed that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law, noting that this position has been repeatedly affirmed by the United Nations Security Council.
The four countries expressed deep concern over the advancement of the project amid a dangerous state of instability in the West Bank, where unprecedented levels of colonist violence against civilians are taking place alongside severe restrictions on the Palestinian economy.
They called on Israel to immediately withdraw the project plans and halt settlement expansion throughout the occupied West Bank, warning that continuing such policies not only moves the parties further away from peace but also contributes to undermining Israel’s standing internationally.
The four governments also urged companies not to participate in construction tenders for the project, calling on them to consider the legal and reputational consequences, including the risks of becoming involved in serious violations of international law.
France, Germany, Italy and the UK reiterated their commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution, affirming that they will continue working toward this objective.
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