"Unacceptable and destructive": The territory at the center of the sharp diplomatic conflict between Israel and the UK
The British Foreign Secretary made it clear that the UK will formulate measures against Israel following the promotion of settlement in the E1 area. It has been learned that other countries are also considering their own measures.
The UK, Canada, and Australia have published a joint statement condemning the IDF's decision not to prosecute soldiers involved in the 2024 Gaza Strip incident, in which a World Central Kitchen convoy was struck. The countries labeled the closure of the investigation as "shameful." This follows a joint statement by seven nations—the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Canada—opposing construction in the E1 area. In the statement, these nations warned commercial companies against participating in construction tenders, citing legal consequences and reputational damage. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced that his country would formulate a series of measures against Israel, prompting Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to criticize the UK's "condescending tone."
In a joint statement with Canada and Australia, the UK launched a further attack, condemning the decision regarding the World Central Kitchen incident, which resulted in the deaths of seven people, including Australian and British-Canadian citizens. Meanwhile, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE issued a joint statement condemning Israeli settlement policy and rejecting the E1 expansion plan.
European condemnation and threat of measures
The conflict intensified after leaders from the UK, Canada, Norway, and the Netherlands joined Germany, France, and Italy in calling on the Israeli government to immediately retract the construction plans. The seven nations defined the decision to publish tenders in E1 as "unacceptable," claiming it undermines the two-state solution and Palestinian territorial contiguity.
According to Bloomberg, the new sanctions being formulated by the UK could include a trade ban with settlements, the expansion of personal sanctions against individuals obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the explicit adoption of the 2024 International Court of Justice opinion, which deems the Israeli occupation of territories recognized by the UK as part of the State of Palestine to be illegal. These measures are being considered as part of Prime Minister Andrew Burnham's efforts to demonstrate a tougher stance on an issue significant to the Labour Party's left wing.
Foreign Secretary Miliband added that he had summoned the Israeli Foreign Ministry representative for a meeting and would promote sanctions against those participating in the expansion of illegal settlements, asserting that the project jeopardizes the two-state solution.
Response from Gideon Sa'ar
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar responded on X: "I reject the statement of the British Foreign Secretary and the condescending tone in which his words were said. The Jewish people have the right to live in all parts of the Land of Israel, just as the British have the right to live in London and throughout the United Kingdom. The UK itself still controls colonial territories thousands of kilometers from its shores. It is absurd that the UK lectures the Jewish people on where they are allowed to live in their historical homeland."
"The statement is completely one-sided. It condemns Israel while turning a blind eye to Palestinian terror. The British government's decision to harm relations between our countries is very regrettable, but Israel will not be a passive victim of this policy," Sa'ar added.
The UN also condemned Israel, with the spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres stating that the Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the new tenders and calls on Israel to refrain from further steps.
Decades of dispute regarding E1
The E1 area, located between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, is considered one of the most strategic zones in Judea and Samaria. Construction there could isolate Jerusalem and prevent future Palestinian territorial contiguity. For decades, Israel has promoted various initiatives for the area but has repeatedly halted them due to heavy diplomatic pressure.
However, the current government is attempting to jumpstart the project: after approving a 3,400-unit plan last year, it is now promoting a tender for 1,200 housing units, with a submission deadline of October 19.
