The British Government announced this Saturday that Spain and Belgium have joined an initiative already supported by six European countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This joint action, made public on Friday, urges companies not to get involved in the bidding process for the E1 settlement project in the West Bank, which contemplates the construction of 3,400 homes and the separation of East Jerusalem from the rest of the Palestinian territory.
"They must be aware of the legal and reputational consequences of their participation, including the risk of involvement in serious violations of International Law," states the communiqué also signed by France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, and the Netherlands.
In the declaration, the signatories recall that "Israeli settlements in the West Bank" are "illegal" under International Law. "The development of the E1 area would divide the West Bank in two and would represent a serious violation of International Law," they have reiterated.
At the same time, the signatory countries call on Israel to end the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and to ensure accountability for the violence perpetrated by settlers. They also urge it to investigate allegations against Israeli forces and to respect the holy sites of Jerusalem, as well as its 'status quo'.
Among their requests is also the lifting of financial restrictions imposed on the Palestinian Authority. "We strongly oppose those, including members of the Israeli Government, who advocate for the annexation and forced displacement of the Palestinian population," they added in the joint communiqué.
Given the "significant" deterioration of the situation in the West Bank and the "unprecedented level" of settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, the participating countries reaffirm their "unwavering" commitment to a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace," based on the two-state solution in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
"The policies and practices of the Israeli Government, including further consolidation of its control (over the West Bank), are undermining the stability and the prospect of a two-state solution," they specified in relation to this initiative, which aims for "two democratic states, Israel and Palestine" to be able to "coexist in peace and security within secure and recognized borders."
The E1 urban plan extends over about twelve square kilometers and links East Jerusalem with the settlement of Maale Adumim. The project aims to double the population of the area with up to 35,000 new residents in the coming years, by expanding the Tzipor Midbar neighborhood.
Its development would split the West Bank in two, with a northern and a southern sector, which would make the configuration of a future contiguous Palestinian State practically unviable. Although many of the settlements in the West Bank have the backing of the Israeli Government, International Law unequivocally establishes that all these settlements are illegal and that their expansion constitutes a war crime.