“We strongly oppose”: Rome, Paris, Berlin and London urge Israel to stop West Bank settlement expansion

Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Germany on Friday called on Israel to stop expanding its settlements in the West Bank, condemned settler violence and warned companies bidding for construction contracts.

“We call on the Israeli government to put an end to the expansion of settlements and its administrative powers, to ensure that settlers responsible for acts of violence are held accountable for their actions and to investigate allegations against Israeli forces,” insist the four countries in a joint statement, recalling that “Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal.”

“The situation in the West Bank has significantly deteriorated”

“Over the past few months, the situation in the West Bank has deteriorated significantly. Settler violence has reached unprecedented levels,” recall the European leaders in their joint declaration.

“The policies and practices of the Israeli government, including the continued strengthening of Israeli control, undermine stability and prospects for a two-state solution,” the statement added.

Rome, Paris, London and Berlin also call for “lifting the financial restrictions imposed on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian economy”.

“We strongly oppose those, including members of the Israeli government, who advocate the annexation and forced displacement of the Palestinian population,” the statement continued.

A project to cut the occupied West Bank in two

Israel approved the E1 project in August 2025 which will cut the occupied West Bank in two and compromise any territorial continuity of a possible future Palestinian state. The tender to build 3,400 housing units in a 12 km2 area east of Jerusalem was published in December by the Israel Land Authority.

The United Nations, the European Union and many leaders have urged Israel to abandon the plan.

“Companies should not apply for construction contracts on E1 or other settlement projects,” warn the four European states, warning these companies against the “legal consequences (…) linked to their participation in the construction of settlements”.

Canada, Australia and New Zealand then announced that they had also subscribed to this joint communiqué.