Britain is urging Israel not to go ahead with its settlement programme east of Jerusalem after Israel opened a tender for construction developments in the designated E1 area. The tender, which opened for bids on August 5 and closes on October 5, provides for the construction of 3,401 housing units between East Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim. A separate tender has also been issued for an employment and commercial zone covering around 1,355 dunams in the E1 area.
The E1 area cuts through a strategically important part of the occupied West Bank. Construction there would connect Ma’ale Adumim more closely with Jerusalem while separating the northern and southern parts of the West Bank and restricting Palestinian territorial continuity with East Jerusalem. Britain has described the project as a serious threat to the viability of a two-state solution and considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law.
Britain’s position follows strong condemnations by the EU and European countries including France that condemned the project and warned companies not to bid for construction contracts in E1, citing potential legal and reputational consequences. The British government has indicated that it is monitoring which companies participate in the tender and has warned that further action could follow if the project proceeds.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has reiterated Britain’s commitment to a two-state solution and warned Israel over the continuing expansion of settlements in the West Bank. In his first call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, the Foreign Secretary raised concerns about the sharp escalation in illegal Israeli settlement expansion in Palestine and reiterated Britain’s fundamental commitment to the Two-State Solution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position is that the Israeli government will not accept a Palestinian state. There is little hope that this position by the Israeli government will change even with a change of government.
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