Israel is facing mounting international pressure over plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, with Palestinian officials warning of a “new Nakba” as Britain, France, Germany, Italy and other governments condemn a major housing project they say threatens the prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
The criticism centers on the E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem, where Israel has opened tenders for 1,234 housing units. The project has long drawn international opposition because of its strategic location between East Jerusalem and the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim.
In a joint statement, Britain, France, Germany and Italy called the decision “unacceptable” and urged Israel to withdraw the plans and halt settlement expansion in the West Bank. Canada, the Netherlands and Norway also joined the criticism, warning of potential “legal and reputational consequences” for businesses involved in the project.
The U.N. secretary-general also expressed deep concern, with his spokesperson warning that the E1 project could pose an “existential threat” to the territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian state.
Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti described the situation in the West Bank as its “most dangerous phase” since 1948, saying Israel was using settlement expansion and settler violence to advance what he called a plan to annex the territory and push Palestinians from their land.
