Doha: France, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway on Thursday urged Israel to immediately withdraw its plans for the E1 settlement project and halt settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

According to Qatar News Agency, in a joint statement, the seven countries expressed that Israel's decision to issue construction tenders for the E1 project was unacceptable. They warned that it would undermine the prospects for a two-state solution by splitting the West Bank and damaging the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian territories.

The countries emphasized that international law considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal, a position that has been reaffirmed by the UN Security Council. They called on the Israeli government to abandon the plans and end settlement expansion, cautioning that such actions would further distance the region from achieving peace.

Additionally, the seven countries urged companies not to engage in bidding for construction work on the project, highlighting potential legal and reputational consequences. They reaffirmed their commitment to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on a two-state solution.