Egypt and Jordan on Thursday strongly condemned Israel’s decision to advance the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, warning that the move could further undermine prospects for an independent Palestinian state.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said the project was intended to divide the West Bank while surrounding and isolating occupied East Jerusalem from other Palestinian areas.
Cairo called on the international community to take concrete steps to halt Israeli violations and reiterated its support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Jordan separately denounced Israel’s decision to issue tenders for the construction of 1,234 settlement units under the E1 project, located east of occupied Jerusalem.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Fuad Al-Majali said Jordan completely rejected the project as well as Israel’s continued expansion of settlements across the occupied West Bank.
He warned that such measures would further entrench the occupation and undermine international efforts to achieve a two-state solution.
Majali also cited an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory and settlement and annexation measures in the occupied West Bank.
Jordan urged the international community to fulfil its legal and moral responsibilities and take action to stop further Israeli settlement expansion in Palestinian territory.