EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas on Sunday criticized Israel's decision to advance construction in the E1 corridor between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, warning that the project would damage prospects for a two-state solution.
Kallas was responding to an Israeli tender issued Tuesday for seven residential compounds in E1, totaling 1,234 housing units. The projects are part of approximately 3,400 units approved for the area last August.
In her statement, Kallas said the tender "fundamentally harms the prospect of the two-state solution."
She claimed, "Implementation of the E1 plan would divide the West Bank in two, isolating East Jerusalem, and further eroding the viability of a two-state solution." She later added, "The EU position is clear: Israel’s settlements in the West Bank, including in the E1 area, are illegal under international law."
"We urge the Government of Israel to withdraw the tender, halt its E1 plans as well as all other settlement expansion projects, and ensure accountability for settler violence," Kallas wrote.
"The EU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security within secure and recognised borders," she concluded.
Kallas's remarks followed a joint statement Thursday by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway, which also called on Israel to withdraw the E1 plans.
The seven countries described the tender as "unacceptable" and said the international community had repeatedly voiced opposition to Israeli construction 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 countries said.
They warned that continued construction could further damage prospects for peace and Israel's international standing. They also urged companies not to participate in the tenders, citing potential "legal and reputational consequences" and the possibility of involvement in what they characterized as serious violations of international law.
The governments reiterated their support for a negotiated two-state agreement.
"We reiterate our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution," they said, adding that they would continue efforts toward that goal.
The United States has also addressed the E1 plans. On Friday, a State Department spokesperson told Axios that Washington opposes Israeli annexation of the area.
"As the President has clearly stated, the US does not support Israel annexing the West Bank. A stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this Administration’s goal to achieve peace in the region," the spokesperson told Axios.