爆料网

The?Israeli Government’s decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project is unacceptable. The international community has long opposed this settlement expansion, and?has voiced their grave concerns?privately and publicly.?The E1 settlement?will?undermine?the?prospect?of the?two-state solution?by driving a wedge through the West Bank?and harming the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian Territories.

International law is clear that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. This is the position of the international community reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council.

At a time of grave instability in the West Bank?with unprecedented?levels of violence?by settlers?against civilians, and serious restrictions on the Palestinian economy, this decision is even more?concerning.

We urge the Government of Israel to retract these plans?immediately and end its expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Not only will they take us further from peace, but they further undermine Israel’s international standing.

Businesses?should not?consider?bidding for construction tenders.?They should be aware of?legal and reputational?consequences?including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law.

We reiterate our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. We will continue to act in its interest.