The European Union (EU) is preparing to impose a comprehensive package of sanctions on Israel in response to the latter's advancement of settlement construction in the E1 area of the West Bank, according to a report by Israel's Channel 13 on Thursday, which cited two diplomatic sources, Reuters reports.
The proposed measures under consideration by the EU would span commercial, academic, and security domains. Among the initial steps being drafted are mandatory labeling requirements for goods imported from Israel, a reduction in academic cooperation between European and Israeli institutions, and the suspension of certain security and diplomatic engagements with the Israeli government.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday that the Israeli government's decision to issue construction tenders for the E1 settlement project is "unacceptable". She emphasized that the European Union has consistently opposed the initiative, arguing that the development would sever the West Bank, "breaking the territorial continuity of the Palestinian territories", and ultimately undermine the prospect of a two-state solution.
Israel on Tuesday advanced plans for the controversial E1 settlement project in the West Bank, publishing a tender for 1,234 housing units.
The tender, published online by the Ministry of Construction and Housing, covers part of a wider plan for 3,401 housing units in E1, an area east of Jerusalem.
Leaders of seven nations including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Canada on Thursday condemned the Israeli government's decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project in the West Bank, calling on Israel to immediately retract the plans.
In a joint statement, the leaders described the move as "unacceptable", warning that it will sever the West Bank, harm the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian territories, and undermine the prospects of a two-state solution.
