EU Calls Israeli Settlement Plans in E1 Illegal, Urges Immediate Halt

The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kalas, declared on Sunday that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including the E1 area, are illegal under international law. Kalas urged the Israeli government to withdraw its tender and stop all construction plans in E1. Kalas, appointed to her EU role in 2024 and former Prime Minister of Estonia, emphasized the EU's longstanding position against the settlements.

Earlier, on Thursday, seven countries, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's decision to publish a tender for building 1,234 housing units in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim. They called on Israel to immediately reverse the move and halt settlement expansion in the West Bank.

The statement highlighted that the international community has opposed construction in E1 for years, expressing serious concern both publicly and privately. The countries warned that implementing the plan would damage prospects for a two-state solution by creating a barrier in the central West Bank and disrupting the territorial continuity of Palestinian land. They reiterated that international law clearly deems Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal, a stance affirmed by the UN Security Council.