The European Commission called on the Israeli government on Tuesday to withdraw a call for tenders for the construction of more than 1,200 housing units in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank.
Speaking at a daily press briefing, European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stated that the project would divide the occupied territory and cut off East Jerusalem.
"The Israeli government has published a call for tender for the construction of more than 1,200 homes as part of the E1 project, and this undermines the prospects for a two-state solution," El Anouni said. "The implementation of the E1 project would split the West Bank into two. It would isolate East Jerusalem and erode the viability of a two-state solution," he added.
El Anouni said the plan is advancing during a period of higher instability and record violence in the territory. He described the expansion as part of a wider ecosystem involving illegal activities.
"This is not taking place in a vacuum. It’s part of an ecosystem where we’re seeing increased instability in the West Bank and record levels of violence by violent settlers," he told reporters.
"Our answer is very clear. Settlers in the West Bank, including in the E1 area, are illegal under international law, and this is why we have called on the Israeli government to withdraw this call for tenders," El Anouni said, while demanding accountability for those responsible for violence.
Reiterating the position of the European Union, the spokesperson affirmed the bloc remains dedicated to a lasting peace plan based on United Nations Security Council resolutions.
"Our solution here has always been to be committed to the two-state solution. We call for a lasting peace based on a two-state plan following a UN Security Council resolution with two democratic states, Israel and Palestine. Living side by side in peace and security within recognized borders," he stated.
El Anouni also addressed recent security incidents, stating the European Union condemns all acts of terrorism and violence against civilians while stressing the importance of freedom of movement.
The Israeli army reported on Friday that two soldiers died and three others sustained serious injuries during a shooting incident in Hebron. This followed a military announcement that two Palestinians were killed in a shootout after allegedly opening fire and wounding five Israelis in the same city.
The Israeli military placed Hebron and nearby towns under complete closure after the shooting.
The occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem have experienced a sharp rise in military raids and settler attacks since Israel began its military campaign in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.
