Milan, 20 August (LaPresse) – “The Israeli government’s decision to issue tenders for the construction of the E1 settlement project is unacceptable.” This is the message contained in a joint statement by the leaders of the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany. “The international community has long opposed this expansion of settlements and has expressed its grave concern both privately and publicly,” the statement continues, “the E1 settlement will undermine the prospect of a two-state solution, creating a rift in the West Bank and compromising the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian Territories”. “International law clearly states that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. This is the position of the international community, reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council,” the four countries continue, “at a time of grave instability in the West Bank, characterised by unprecedented levels of violence by settlers against civilians and severe restrictions on the Palestinian economy, this decision is even more worrying” . The United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany urge “the Israeli government to withdraw these plans immediately and to put an end to the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Not only will they take us further away from peace, but they will further undermine Israel’s international reputation”. “Companies should not consider bidding for construction contracts. They must be aware of the legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of being implicated in serious violations of international law,” the statement concludes. “We reaffirm our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. We will continue to act in the interests of that objective.”
Middle East: Italy, France, the UK and Germany say the E1 settlement plan is unacceptable
Milan, 20 August (LaPresse) – “The Israeli government’s decision to issue tenders for the construction of the E1 settlement project is unacceptable.” This is the message contained in a joint statement by the leaders of the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany. “The international community has long opposed this expansion of settlements and has expressed its grave concern both privately and publicly,” the statement continues, “the E1 settlement will undermine the prospect of a two-state solution, creating a rift in the West Bank and compromising the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian Territories”. “International law clearly states that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. This is the position of the international community, reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council,” the four countries continue, “at a time of grave instability in the West Bank, characterised by unprecedented levels of violence by settlers against civilians and severe restrictions on the Palestinian economy, this decision is even more worrying” . The United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany urge “the Israeli government to withdraw these plans immediately and to put an end to the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Not only will they take us further away from peace, but they will further undermine Israel’s international reputation”. “Companies should not consider bidding for construction contracts. They must be aware of the legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of being implicated in serious violations of international law,” the statement concludes. “We reaffirm our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. We will continue to act in the interests of that objective.”