Archive · 21 Aug 2026
European Leaders Condemn Israeli West Bank Settlement Expansion
Israel has opened bids to build more than 1,200 homes in a West Bank area called E1.
France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany have asked Israel to cancel the plans.
They say the project could make it harder for Palestinians to have a connected country of their own.
The United Nations and Belgium also criticized the project.
Britain warned that it may impose sanctions on people involved in settlement expansion.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected Britain’s criticism.
He said Britain was blaming only Israel and ignoring Palestinian extremism.
The disagreement has added to tensions between Israel and several European governments.
Israel opened bidding for more than 1,200 homes in the West Bank under the E1 settlement plan.
France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany urged Israel to withdraw the plans and stop settlement expansion.
The countries warned businesses that participating in the tenders could involve serious breaches of international law.
The United Nations and Belgium said the project could threaten a contiguous Palestinian state and undermine a two-state solution.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected British criticism, citing Palestinian extremism and defending Israel’s rights and interests.
- Who
- Israeli authorities, the governments of France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany, the United Nations, Belgium and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
- What
- Israel opened bidding for more than 1,200 settlement homes in the West Bank under the E1 plan, prompting international condemnation.
- When
- The bidding and condemnations were reported on Thursday; the E1 plan was approved by Israeli lawmakers last year.
- Where
- The occupied West Bank, including the E1 area between East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
- Why
- Critics say the project could separate East Jerusalem from the West Bank, threaten a contiguous Palestinian state and undermine a two-state solution.
Critics of the Project
Israeli Government Position
International law
Critics of the Project
France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany warned that construction tenders could involve businesses in serious breaches of international law.
Israeli Government Position
Gideon Saar rejected the criticism and said Israel would defend its rights, interests and people.
Two-state solution
Critics of the Project
The United Nations and Belgium said the E1 project could prevent a contiguous Palestinian state and seriously undermine the two-state solution.
Israeli Government Position
Israel has continued the settlement process by opening bidding, while Saar focused on what he described as Palestinian extremism and attacks against the British Jewish community.
Diplomatic dispute
Critics of the Project
The United Kingdom summoned Israel’s charge d’affaires, demanded an end to settlement expansion and said sanctions could follow.
Israeli Government Position
Saar said Britain was blaming only Israel and described the British government’s approach as damaging to relations between the two countries.
- Settlement tenders
- Bidding opened for more than 1,200 homes.
- Plan
- The project is known as the E1 plan, approved by Israeli lawmakers last year.
- European response
- France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany jointly urged Israel to retract the plans.
- United Nations assessment
- The United Nations Secretary-General called the plan an existential threat to a contiguous Palestinian state.
- British response
- The United Kingdom said it would announce comprehensive measures, including possible sanctions against people involved in illegal settlement expansion.
- West Bank population
- The West Bank is home to around three million Palestinians and about 500,000 Israeli settlers, excluding East Jerusalem.
- Israeli response
- Gideon Saar rejected the British statement and its tone, accusing the United Kingdom of ignoring Palestinian extremism.