Malta has joined other European countries including France, Spain and Britain over opposition to Israel’s E1 settlement plan in Jerusalem.
Foreign Affairs Minister Chris Fearne met with the Ambassador of Palestine to Malta, Fadi Hanania, to convey Malta’s position.
Israel has opened tenders for construction in the strategically important E1 area between East Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim. The project has been strongly opposed by European governments because its implementation would further divide the occupied West Bank, restricting territorial continuity between its northern and southern parts and further isolating East Jerusalem from Palestinian territory.
Britain, France, Spain and a wider group of countries have called on Israel to withdraw the plans, warning that construction in E1 would seriously undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state and the Two-State Solution. European governments have also warned companies against participating in the construction tenders because of the potential legal and reputational consequences.
Malta has consistently maintained that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law and has reiterated its support for a Two-State Solution. Foreign Minister Chris Fearne has also previously backed an EU proposal to ban trade with illegal settlements.
Newsroom
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