UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada denounce Israel's West Bank settlement plans
The UN secretary general also warned that the E1 project posed an "existential threat" to the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state. Belgium’s foreign minister issued a similar warning.
The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Canada have jointly condemned Israel's plans to advance a major settlement project in the occupied West Bank, warning that the move could further undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
The development was reported by the BBC, which said Israel has opened tenders for 1,234 housing units in the strategically important E1 area, east of Jerusalem. The project is part of a larger plan for 3,401 homes approved by the Israeli government last August.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the five countries described the decision as "unacceptable" and urged Israel to "retract the plans immediately".
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"At a time of grave instability in the West Bank with unprecedented levels of violence by settlers against civilians, and serious restrictions on the Palestinian economy, this decision is even more concerning," the statement said.
"Not only will they [the plans] take us further from peace, but they further undermine Israel's international standing," it added.
The UN secretary general also warned that the E1 project posed an "existential threat" to the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state. Belgium's foreign minister issued a similar warning.
The project covers around 12 sq km between East Jerusalem and the settlement of Maale Adumim. The deadline for bids is 19 October, shortly before Israel's general election on 27 October.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also condemned the plans on Thursday, drawing an "outright" rejection from Israel's foreign minister.
The plans have faced a legal challenge from Bedouin Palestinians living in the area and Israeli peace groups. Despite this, Israel's housing ministry issued the tender on Wednesday.
At the time the project was announced, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, an ultranationalist and settler, said the idea of a Palestinian state was "being erased".
Israel has established around 160 settlements housing about 700,000 Jews in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Palestinians seek for a future state. Around 3.3 million Palestinians live in the areas alongside the settlers.
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the occupied territories illegal under international law. Opponents of the E1 project say its implementation would effectively divide the West Bank, separating its northern and southern parts and disrupting territorial continuity between Ramallah, East Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
