International

West Bank: Four European countries call for an end to settlement expansion

France, Italy, the UK, and Germany urged Israel to halt settlement expansion following tenders for a construction project in the West Bank.

20 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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West Bank: Four European countries call for an end to settlement expansion — Photo: Remi Noyon · Flickr · BY

On August 20, 2026, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany jointly expressed their concern regarding the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a joint statement, these European countries called on Israel to "end the expansion of settlements."

The call was made following Israel's opening of tenders for the East 1 project, which plans to construct 3,400 housing units in Palestinian territory. This project is seen as a source of tension in the region.

The four countries also urged Israel to "immediately withdraw" the tenders related to this construction project. According to sources, the E1 project covers an area of 12 square kilometers located east of Jerusalem.

Archive photo: West Bank: Four European countries call for an end to settlement expansion — Archive photoPhoto: Titanicophile · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

The aim of this appeal is to request Israel to halt its development plans that negatively impact the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.

The statements from the governments of Paris, Rome, London, and Berlin highlight the importance of preserving peace prospects in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid increasing colonization activities.

This development could have consequences for relations between Israel and these four nations, which emphasize their commitment to a sustainable and peaceful solution.

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