Saudi Arabia, seven countries call for immediate halt to Israel’s E1 settlement plan

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia and seven other countries have strongly condemned Israel’s continued settlement policies in the occupied Palestinian territory and called for immediate international action to halt the E1 settlement plan east of occupied East Jerusalem.In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt expressed their categorical rejection of the E1 plan and related settlement activities.The ministers also renewed their condemnation of violations and acts of violence committed by settlers, with the support of Israeli authorities, against Palestinians and their property.They stressed that such practices do not diminish the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and constitute violations of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, while posing a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.The ministers warned that the E1 settlement plan represents a dangerous escalation that would advance settlement expansion and annexation and undermine the geographical contiguity of the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly between the West Bank and East Jerusalem.They said the plan threatens the viability of an independent and geographically contiguous Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.The statement said such measures directly challenge international efforts to achieve peace, particularly US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive peace plan, including its rejection of annexation and forced displacement and the mechanisms envisaged for its implementation, including through the Board of Peace.The ministers also pointed to Trump’s commitment not to allow the annexation of the West Bank as part of efforts to achieve stability and end the conflict.They reaffirmed that the two-state solution, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, remains the only viable path toward a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.The ministers warned that actions undermining the two-state solution would further escalate tensions, threaten regional and international peace and security, and diminish prospects for lasting peace and stability in the region.They expressed support for efforts to ensure accountability, including appropriate international measures and sanctions against entities and individuals responsible for illegal settlement activities, including the E1 plan, as well as those supporting, facilitating or implementing settlement expansion and annexation policies.The ministers also called for an end to any support or financing contributing to the establishment, expansion or consolidation of illegal settlements, warning that the absence of accountability allows violations to continue and further undermines prospects for peace.They called for immediate action to halt the E1 settlement plan, reverse all measures taken under it and stop settlement activities and other steps intended to alter the geographical and demographic character of the occupied Palestinian territory.The ministers urged the UN Security Council, states and relevant international actors to fulfill their responsibilities under international law and take urgent and effective measures to stop illegal settlement expansion, protect the Palestinian people and safeguard their inalienable rights.These include the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.