The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway have jointly condemned Israel's decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project in Judea and Samaria, calling on the Israeli government to immediately withdraw the plans.
In a joint statement published Thursday, the seven countries described the decision as "unacceptable," saying the international community has repeatedly raised concerns over Israeli settlement expansion in Judea and Samaria.
"The E1 settlement will undermine the prospect of the two-state solution by driving a wedge through the West Bank and harming the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian Territories," the statement said.
The countries also reiterated their position that Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria violate international law, citing what they described as a longstanding position of the international community reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council.
The governments said the E1 plans were particularly concerning given what they described as severe instability in Judea and Samaria, including high levels of settler violence against Palestinian Arab civilians and restrictions affecting the Palestinian economy.
"We urge the Government of Israel to retract these plans immediately and end its expansion of settlements," the statement said.
The seven countries warned that continued settlement construction would further undermine prospects for peace and damage Israel's international standing.
They also called on companies not to participate in the construction tenders, warning of potential "legal and reputational consequences" and the risk of becoming involved in what they described as serious violations of international law.
The statement reiterated the seven governments' support for a negotiated two-state solution.
"We reiterate our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution," they said, adding that they would continue working in support of that objective.