France, Germany, Italy and UK reject Israel’s E1 settlement project

France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom have issued a joint statement rejecting Israel’s decision to issue new tenders for the E1 settlement project in the West Bank, describing the move as unacceptable.

The four countries reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution and stressed the importance of achieving peace and stability in the region.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband condemned Israel’s move this week to open bidding for the E1 settlement project and summoned the Israeli chargé d’affaires.

The Israeli E1 settlement plan has drawn widespread condemnation, as it would fragment territory that Palestinians seek for a future state.

Miliband said he also made it clear to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar that “the Israeli government must immediately halt the E1 plan, withdraw the tender, and stop all settlement expansion.”