STATEMENT: The E1 settlement project has long been a red line, even for Israel’s closest allies.  In announcing the construction tender this week, with contracts likely to be signed before the October elections, the Netanyahu government is testing the world’s resolve. 

E1 exemplifies the scale and ambition of illegal settlement expansion across the West Bank. It is a deliberate attempt to destroy the possibility of a Palestinian state.

Governments now face a crucial test.  Will they defend the red lines they themselves have drawn and take concrete action? The UK has announced it will not accept the “destruction of the two-state solution” and will impose measures, including targeting sanctions at those who participate in illegal settlement expansion. Others must follow suit urgently. The Israeli government cannot be allowed to continue acting with impunity. 

Statements of condemnation are not enough.  Governments must make it unmistakably clear to companies, banks and the Israeli authorities that participating in the process will be violating international law.  They must face severe legal, commercial and reputational consequences, including sanctions.

The E1 tender announcement also reinforces the urgency of action by EU Foreign Ministers.  We urge them to agree a ban on trade with settlements now and to suspend preferential trade with Israel under the Association Agreement, given Israel’s continued breaches of Article 2 on human rights. That was proposed by the European Commission last year.

Every possible measure must be taken, now, to stop the illegal construction of E1 and to protect the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians for security and peace. 

ENDS

Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia, Nobel Peace Laureate and Chair of The Elders 

Graça Machel, Founder of the Graça Machel Trust, Co-founder and Deputy Chair of The Elders  

Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former Director-General of the WHO 

Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former head of the UN Development Programme 

Elbegdorj Tsakhia, former President and Prime Minister of Mongolia 

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 

Hina Jilani, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and co-chair of the Taskforce on Justice 

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate 

Denis Mukwege, physician and human rights advocate, Nobel Peace Laureate 

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 

Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico