Arab, Muslim Foreign Ministers Condemn Israeli E1 Settlement Plan

RAMALLAH, Aug 22 (Bernama-WAFA) -- Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye and Egypt on Friday strongly denounced Israel’s continued illegal settlement policies in the occupied Palestinian territory.

In a joint statement, they affirmed their complete rejection of the “E1” colonial plan and its associated settlement activities in occupied East Jerusalem, Palestine News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported.

They reiterated their condemnation of the violations and acts of violence committed by Israeli colonists, with the support of the Israeli authorities, against the Palestinian people and their property.

Such practices, they stressed, do not diminish Palestinians’ inalienable rights and constitute violations of international law and relevant UN resolutions, while posing a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

The foreign ministers warned that the E1 plan constitutes a dangerous escalation that would further colonial expansion and annexation, and undermine the territorial contiguity of the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly between the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

This threatens the viability of an independent, geographically contiguous and viable Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

They considered the measures a direct challenge to international efforts to achieve peace, foremost among them President Donald Trump’s comprehensive peace plan, which includes a firm rejection of annexation and forced displacement, as well as the mechanisms envisaged for its implementation.

The ministers reaffirmed that the two-state solution, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, remains the only viable path to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

They warned that measures aimed at undermining this solution would further escalate tensions, threaten regional and international peace and security, and jeopardise the prospects for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

They expressed their support for efforts to ensure accountability, including through appropriate international measures and sanctions against entities and individuals responsible for illegal settlement activities, including the E1 settlement plan, as well as those who support, facilitate, or implement policies of settlement expansion and annexation.

They called for an end to any support or funding that contributes to the establishment, expansion, or entrenchment of illegal settlements.

They stressed that the absence of accountability perpetuates violations and further undermines the prospects for a just and comprehensive peace.

The foreign ministers urged immediate action to halt the E1 settlement plan, rescind all measures taken within its framework, and cease all settlement activities and other measures aimed at altering the geographic and demographic character of the occupied Palestinian territory.

They called upon the UN Security Council and all relevant states and international bodies to uphold their responsibilities under international law and take urgent and effective measures to halt illegal colonial expansion and ensure the protection of the Palestinian people.

They also urged them to safeguard Palestinians’ inalienable rights, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

-- BERNAMA-WAFA