Doha: The European Commission today joined a growing chorus of voices condemning the Israeli government's recent announcement of tenders for a new settlement project, known as E1, in the occupied West Bank.

According to Qatar News Agency, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed disapproval via a post on the X platform, stating, "The Israeli government's decision to issue tenders for the construction of the 'E1' settlement project is unacceptable." Von der Leyen emphasized that the Commission has consistently opposed such measures.

Previously, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway collectively urged Israel to abandon plans for the E1 settlement project and to halt all expansion of settlements in the West Bank. In a joint statement, these countries reiterated the international community's long-standing stance against settlement expansion, labeling the Israeli decision as "unacceptable" and calling for an immediate cessation of such activities.