Israel has announced tenders for an additional 2,167 housing units in the E1 settlement which, along with the tenders for 1,234 units announced in August, completes the entire housing plan for the settlement.
The timing of the bidding – a mere two days before Israel’s election – is an obvious attempt to make the E1 project irreversible.
When the initial tenders were announced in August, the UK government, along with its international allies, issued a joint statement condemning E1 as a flagrant breach of international law and a direct threat to the prospect of peace, warning that there would be consequences.
Last week, the UK government, again with its international allies, announced a ban on the import of goods from Israeli settlements and said it would sanction those responsible for entrenching and embedding the occupation through settlement construction.
This latest issuing of tenders is yet another blow to the prospects of a diplomatic agreement, and underscores the importance of the UK government following through on that action.
This year is on track to be a record year for settler violence against Palestinians, while also continuing 2025’s unprecedented pace of new settlement approvals.
When Israel’s own defence establishment, former leaders and politicians are sounding the alarm that this disastrous course must be corrected, it further emphasises the need for allies to safeguard long-term diplomacy.