Overview
- Israel's Ministry of Construction and Housing published a tender this week for roughly 1,234 housing units in the contested E1 area east of Jerusalem with bids reportedly open until 19 October.
- France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom issued a joint condemnation calling for the tender to be withdrawn and describing the decision as unacceptable, with some reports adding the Netherlands and Norway as co-signatories.
- The four governments explicitly warned companies not to bid, citing legal exposure under international law and the risk of reputational harm from taking part in settlement construction.
- E1 was approved in August 2025 as a plan for about 3,400 homes in a 12‑square‑kilometre area between Ma'ale Adumim and East Jerusalem that critics say would cut Palestinian territorial contiguity and isolate parts of the West Bank.
- The move has increased diplomatic pressure on Israel, raised concerns about rising settler violence and economic strain on Palestinians, and could shape reactions in the run-up to Israel's general election later this year.