Netherlands condemns Israel over West Bank construction plans in illegal settlements

Friday, 21 August 2026 - 09:37

The Netherlands, together with a group of other countries, has condemned Israel’s decision to open bidding for its highly controversial E1 construction project, expanding its illegal settlements in Palestinian territories. “The E1 settlement will undermine the prospect of a two-state solution” and harm the “territorial contiguity of the Palestinian territory,” the countries said in a joint statement.

“The situation on the West Bank is deteriorating further. The violence by settlers is increasing, and the economy there is coming under increasing pressure,” Prime Minister Rob Jetten added on X. “That must stop. That is why the Netherlands, together with international partners, is calling on Israel to halt the expansion of illegal settlements and reverse the plans for the controversial E1 project.”

The E1 project involves building approximately 3,400 homes for Israeli settlers in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory, NOS reported. The project will effectively divide the West Bank in two, making the possibility of a future Palestinian state practically impossible. Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich gave the green light for the E1 plans last year, calling the project effectively the end of “the two-state illusion.”

Israel opened tenders for project developers to bid for participation in the project on Tuesday. Companies have until October 19 to submit a bid for the construction of the first 1,000 homes.

“International law is clear that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal,” the countries said. “At a time of grave instability in the West Bank with unprecedented levels of violence by settlers against civilians, and serious restrictions on the Palestinian economy, this decision is even more concerning.”

The countries urged the Israeli government to retract its plans to expand its illegal settlements in the West Bank. According to them, these plans will not only “take us further from peace, but they further undermine Israel's international standing.”

They also urged companies not to bid on the construction tenders.

The statement is signed by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway.