Egypt and Türkiye warn E1 settlement project threatens Palestinian statehood
Egypt and Türkiye have issued a warning against Israel's planned implementation of the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the project poses a serious threat to the unity of Palestinian territory, as it would separate East Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings and undermine geographical contiguity within the West Bank. They emphasized that such developments would further jeopardize the prospects for establishing an independent and viable Palestinian state and constitute a violation of international law. The E1 plan, which involves tenders for over 1,200 settlement homes, has faced international condemnation and is considered illegal under international law. Egypt's foreign ministry condemned the move, stressing its aim to divide the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem, and called on the international community to act. The UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also condemned the tender's publication. Additionally, Abdelatty and Fidan discussed the need to implement the US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, urging Israel to fulfill its obligations for the first phase to pave the way for the second, which includes consolidating a ceasefire and advancing peace efforts.
