the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and the Netherlands have urged Israel to stop expanding its settlements in the occupied West Bank, in a joint statement that also condemns settler violence and warns construction companies not to bid for tenders, states
Al Jazeera.
“Over the past few months, the situation in the West Bank has deteriorated significantly. Settler violence is at unprecedented levels. The policies and practices of the Israeli government, including a further entrenchment of Israeli control, are undermining stability and prospects for a two-state solution. International law is clear: Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. Construction projects in the E1 area would be no exception,” the statement read, adding that development would divide the occupied West Bank in two and mark a serious breach of international law.
The plan to build thousands of new housing units in the E1 area, east of occupied East Jerusalem, would link the large and illegal
Ma’ale Adumim settlement with Jerusalem, effectively bisecting the West Bank and isolating Palestinian communities.
“Businesses should not bid for construction tenders for E1 or other settlement developments. They should be aware of legal and reputational consequences of participating in settlement construction, including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law. We call on the Government of Israel to end its expansion of settlements and administrative powers, ensure accountability for settler violence and investigate allegations against Israeli forces, respect the Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem’s Holy Sites and the historic status quo arrangements, and lift financial restrictions on the PA [Palestinian Authority] and the Palestinian economy.”
