Western and Arab nations condemn Israeli tenders for 1,234 settlement units in West Bank E1 zone

Tender publication for the E1 corridor

The Israeli Housing Ministry issued tenders for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the disputed E1 area of the West Bank, located between Jerusalem and the Ma'ale Adumim settlement. The 12-square-kilometer parcel was initially conceived for development in the 1990s under former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, but remained unapproved through successive governments until Benjamin Netanyahu's administration approved the project in August 2025. Israeli authorities argue the project creates necessary urban connectivity between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim while providing strategic value in future talks. Palestinian officials and international diplomats counter that the corridor cuts off East Jerusalem from the West Bank and severs the geographical link between Bethlehem and Ramallah. The tender bidding deadline was scheduled for the days immediately preceding the 27 October elections.

Coordinated Western and European backlash

A joint statement by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, and Norway condemned the tender rollout, with Belgium, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand joining the diplomatic appeal. The coalition warned commercial entities against bidding, citing legal and reputational liabilities under international law. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares issued a separate condemnation calling on Israel to reverse the move and respect international commitments. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the European Union's long-standing opposition to the development.

The decision of the Israeli Government to publish tenders for the construction of the E1 settlement project is unacceptable. We have long opposed this measure.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot also affirmed his government's rejection of the initiative.

Belgium joins the countries that consider it unacceptable that the Israeli authorities have adopted a decision contrary to international law, a decision that jeopardizes the hope of peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Regional condemnations and settler violence warnings

Eight Arab and Muslim nations, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt, released a joint statement demanding the immediate cancellation of the E1 plan. The group stated that settlement activity alters the demographic and geographical character of occupied territory and threatens regional security. In parallel, the European External Action Service called on Israeli authorities to halt settler attacks against Palestinian residents in the West Bank. The European Union cited the situation in Qusra, where settler violence kept multiple Palestinian families confined to their homes for more than a week. European officials also censured public remarks and online footage released by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir regarding the Gaza Strip.

Disputed demographics in Area C

The E1 corridor lies inside Area C, which constitutes 60% of the West Bank under full Israeli administrative and security control following the 1995 Oslo II accords. Although the interim agreement envisioned gradual territorial transfers to Palestinian jurisdiction, full control remained with Israel after final-status negotiations stalled. Official Israeli records report 500,000 Jewish residents across more than 150 settlements and outposts alongside 200,000 Palestinians in 530 villages. In contrast, United Nations figures estimate 340,000 Israeli settlers and roughly 300,000 Palestinians across the same territory. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich noted that advancing construction across the sector aims to extinguish the possibility of a Palestinian state.