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European Commission spokesperson for external affairs Anouar El Anouni called on Israel to withdraw a tender for the planned E1 settlement east of East Jerusalem, saying the plan would split the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem.

El Anouni told a daily press briefing that the announcement of a tender for more than 1,200 homes under the E1 project fundamentally damages the prospect of a two-state solution.

Brussels says settlements are illegal under international law

Speaking at the Commission's daily press briefing, El Anouni answered questions about the E1 project and movement restrictions in the West Bank. The spokesperson said that implementing the E1 plan "would split the West Bank in two, isolate East Jerusalem and further weaken the viability of a two-state solution."

El Anouni noted that the development comes at a time of growing instability in the West Bank, where attacks by settlers who use violence have reached record levels. The EU position is clear, the spokesperson said: "Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including the area of E1, are illegal under international law."

"We have called on the Israeli government to withdraw the tender and we continue to do so," El Anouni said. The EU remains committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions, the spokesperson added, saying Israel and Palestine should live side by side within recognized and secure borders, in peace and security.

Freedom of movement stressed in the West Bank

Asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that the entire West Bank would be closed after attacks on Israelis, El Anouni said the EU condemns all acts of terrorism and violence against civilians.

While acknowledging Israel's security concerns, the spokesperson said the EU stresses the importance of freedom of movement, particularly at a time of rising tension in the West Bank. That freedom covers movement within the West Bank as well as entry to and exit from the area, El Anouni said.

What the E1 project involves

The Israeli authorities had frozen the E1 project, which is said to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, because of pressure from previous United States administrations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the project in September 2025. The plan would effectively split the occupied West Bank in two.

The Israeli government published the first tender notice, covering 1,234 housing units, without prior notice to objecting parties, in breach of its commitment on the E1 Jewish settlement project. The notice drew international reactions.

Twelve Western countries responded with a ban on trade with Israeli settlements that seize occupied Palestinian territories, while some others announced their intention to do the same. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had demanded the cancellation of a decision to postpone the tender for the planned settlement, which would be built on seized Palestinian land east of occupied East Jerusalem, until after the general elections scheduled for October 27.

Israel aims, through the E1 project, to split the West Bank in two in practice and to sever the link between occupied East Jerusalem and Palestinian land in the West Bank.

Key takeaways

• The European Commission demanded that Israel withdraw the E1 settlement tender for more than 1,200 homes.
• El Anouni warned that E1 would split the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem, weakening a two-state solution.
• The EU said settlements in the West Bank, including E1, are illegal under international law.
• Twelve Western countries imposed a ban on trade with Israeli settlements in response to the project.