BRUSSELS, (Unib Rashid) – The European Commission and 15 countries have rejected Israel’s proposed E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank as unacceptable, while reaffirming their commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The European Commission, along with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Austria and Greece, issued a joint statement expressing strong opposition to the Israeli government’s decision to issue construction tenders for the proposed E1 settlement project.

The Israeli Government’s decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project is unacceptable.

We have long opposed this step.

It undermines the two-state solution by dividing the West Bank and breaking the territorial continuity of the Palestinian… pic.twitter.com/oWUTRETYgz

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 21, 2026

The joint statement said the decision was “unacceptable,” stressing that the international community had for years opposed the expansion of Israeli settlements and had repeatedly expressed serious concerns over such developments.

According to the statement, the E1 settlement project could divide the West Bank into two parts and undermine the territorial contiguity of Palestinian areas, further weakening the prospects for a viable two-state solution.

The countries and the European Commission reiterated that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are contrary to international law, noting that this position has also been upheld by the United Nations Security Council.

The joint statement expressed particular concern over the proposed project at a time when the West Bank is experiencing severe instability, settler violence against civilians has reached unprecedented levels and the Palestinian economy is facing serious restrictions.

The signatories urged the Israeli government to immediately withdraw the plans and halt further settlement expansion in the West Bank.

They warned that continued settlement expansion would not only move the parties further away from peace but could also further damage Israel’s international standing.

The statement also called on businesses to refrain from considering bids for construction contracts linked to the E1 project, urging companies to remain aware of the potential legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of involvement in serious violations of international law.

The signatories reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution and pledged to continue working towards that objective.