UK Summons Israeli Ambassador Over “E1 Project” Approval

Kokcha News Agency – The UK has summoned Israel’s ambassador to London, Tzipi Hotovely, to the Foreign Office following Israel’s approval of the “E1 Project,” which would expand settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. In a written statement, the UK Foreign Office said, “Tzipi Hotovely was summoned in response to the Israeli High Planning Committee’s approval of settlement construction plans in the E1 area east of Jerusalem.”

The statement emphasized that the UK and 21 international partners strongly condemned the decision, stating, “If implemented, these settlement plans would be a clear violation of international law and would severely undermine the prospects for a two-state solution by dividing a future Palestinian state.”

21 COUNTRIES CONDEMN THE DECISION
Meanwhile, the UK and 21 international partners have condemned Israel’s approval of the “E1 Project” and called for its immediate reversal.

In a joint statement issued by the UK, Canada, the EU, and other countries, the signatories stated, “The Israeli High Planning Committee’s approval of settlement construction plans in the E1 area east of Jerusalem is unacceptable and a violation of international law. We condemn this decision and strongly call for its immediate reversal.”

The statement also referenced comments by Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who claimed that the plan would divide any future Palestinian state and restrict Palestinian access to Jerusalem, making a two-state solution impossible.

The statement continued, “This will not benefit the Israeli people. On the contrary, it risks undermining security and fuels further violence and instability, pushing us further away from peace. The Israeli government still has an opportunity to prevent the E1 plan from moving forward. We urge them to urgently withdraw this plan. The Israeli government’s unilateral actions are undermining our shared aspiration for security and prosperity in the Middle East. The Israeli government must halt settlement construction in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and lift restrictions on the Palestinian Authority’s financial resources.”

The joint statement was signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK, as well as the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

THE “E1 PROJECT”
The “E1 Project” aims to connect the illegal settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, built near the Palestinian neighborhood of Azariya in the West Bank, to the road leading to West Jerusalem.

As part of the project, over 12,000 dunams of Palestinian land have been seized to build more than 4,000 illegal housing units and hotels.

The “E1 Project” is designed to sever and isolate East Jerusalem from the Palestinian territories in the West Bank.