A joint statement by 21 countries has condemned Israel’s plans to construct the controversial E1 settlement in the occupied West Bank, warning the move undermines international law and renders a future two-state solution impossible.
The countries—among them the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, France, and Canada—issued a joint statement on 22 August, calling on Israel to immediately reverse the decision.
The settlement is set to be built on a 12-square-kilometre tract of land east of Jerusalem. It will include 3,400 housing units for Israeli settlers.
According to the joint statement, the planned development would sever much of the West Bank from occupied East Jerusalem and hinder the territorial contiguity needed for a viable Palestinian state.
“We condemn this decision and call for its immediate reversal in the strongest terms,” the countries stated. They described the E1 settlement as “a violation of international law”.
The proposed settlement would also link several existing Israeli settlements, further entrenching Israeli presence in the occupied territory.
East Jerusalem remains a focal point for Palestinian aspirations, considered the desired capital of a future Palestinian state.
The 21 countries warned the development would “divide any Palestinian state and restrict Palestinian access to Jerusalem”, effectively ending prospects for a two-state solution.
In addition to the UK, Australia, and Japan, the full list includes Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Tánaiste @SimonHarrisTD has joined 21 counterparts from Europe and globally in condemning plans for settlement construction in the E1 area of the West Bank. These plans are a violation of international law & a fundamental threat to the two-state solution – they must be reversed. pic.twitter.com/FTmIbDZbEv
— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) August 21, 2025
The statement follows widespread international concern, including from the Palestinian Authority, the European Commission, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
It is vital to reach immediately a ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, and to avoid the massive death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza would inevitably cause.
Simultaneously, the decision by the Israeli authorities to expand… pic.twitter.com/oqf6q6vo5N
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 21, 2025
The European Union echoed these concerns in a statement on 14 August, citing that “coupled with ongoing settler violence and military operations, these unilateral decisions are fuelling an already tense situation on the ground and further eroding any possibility for peace”.
The EU reiterated that Israel’s settlement expansion contravenes international law and risks provoking further violence and instability in the region.
The planned E1 settlement has been particularly contentious for decades, repeatedly delayed due to international pressure.
Critics say its construction would effectively cut the West Bank in two, obstructing Palestinian movement and access to East Jerusalem.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the project, stating it aligns with his broader goal of undermining Palestinian statehood.
“Settlements such as E1 will help erase Palestine from the map,” he said last week. “This reality finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state, because there is nothing to recognise and no one to recognise.”
Smotrich’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations and governments alike, as they underscore a widening gap between Israeli leadership and international consensus on the peace process.
Opponents of the E1 plan argue it undermines not only prospects for peace but also regional stability, with the 21-country bloc warning it “brings no benefits to the Israeli people”.
No timeline has been confirmed for the beginning of construction, but formal steps to move forward with the project were reported earlier this week.
The Israeli government has yet to respond publicly to the joint condemnation.
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