Nine Western nations warn Israel over West Bank policies, E1 settlement plan
Synopsis
Nine Western nations — including the UK, France, Germany, and Canada — have issued one of their most pointed joint rebukes of Israeli West Bank policy, warning businesses against bidding on E1 settlement tenders and explicitly naming members of the Israeli government as among those advocating annexation. The statement signals a coordinated Western shift from concern to consequence.
Key Takeaways
Nine Western nations — the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, and the Netherlands — released a joint statement on 23 May over the West Bank situation.
The statement describes settler violence as being at unprecedented levels and warns that Israeli policies are undermining a two-state solution.
The proposed E1 settlement development was specifically condemned as a serious breach of international law that would divide the West Bank in two.
Businesses were explicitly warned against bidding on E1 construction tenders , citing legal and reputational risks.
The countries called on Israel to lift financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority and respect Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem's Holy Sites.
The statement directly opposed annexation and forcible displacement, including by members of the Israeli government .
Nine Western nations issued a strongly worded joint statement on Friday, 23 May, warning Israel that the deteriorating situation in the West Bank — marked by unprecedented settler violence and expanding Israeli control — is actively undermining regional stability and the prospects of a two-state solution. The countries — the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, and the Netherlands — called on the Israeli government to halt settlement expansion and ensure accountability for violence against Palestinians.
Key Developments in the Statement
The joint statement described the West Bank situation as having “deteriorated significantly” over recent months. It specifically flagged settler violence as being at “unprecedented levels” and accused the Israeli government of pursuing policies that entrench Israeli control at the expense of a negotiated peace framework.
Critically, the nine nations reaffirmed that international law regards Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal — and stated that the proposed E1 settlement development would be no exception. According to the statement, E1 construction would physically divide the West Bank in two, constituting what the countries described as “a serious breach of international law.”
Warning to Businesses Over E1 Tenders
The statement went beyond diplomatic language to issue a direct caution to private enterprises. It warned that “businesses should not bid for construction tenders for E1 or other settlement developments,” citing “legal and reputational consequences of participating in settlement construction, including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law.” This marks a notable escalation — translating geopolitical concern into a concrete economic and legal risk advisory for the corporate sector.
What the Countries Are Demanding
The nine nations collectively called on the Israeli government to take several concrete steps: end the expansion of settlements and administrative powers in the West Bank; ensure accountability for settler violence; investigate allegations against Israeli forces; and lift financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority and the broader Palestinian economy.
They also urged Israel to respect the Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem's Holy Sites and uphold the historic status quo arrangements governing those sites — a point of recurring tension in the region.
Opposition to Annexation and Forcible Displacement
In notably direct language, the statement said the nine countries “strongly opposed” those who advocate for annexation and the forcible displacement of the Palestinian population — including, the statement specified, “members of the Israeli government.” The explicit reference to sitting government members marks a sharper diplomatic posture than is typical of such multilateral statements.
Reaffirming Commitment to a Two-State Solution
The countries closed by reaffirming their “unwavering commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a negotiated two-State solution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.” The vision articulated is of two democratic states — Israel and Palestine — living “side by side in peace and security within secure and recognised borders.”
This joint statement represents one of the most coordinated Western diplomatic rebukes of Israeli West Bank policy in recent years, and comes amid sustained international pressure over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the occupied territories. Whether it translates into concrete policy consequences remains to be seen.
Point of View
Which multinationals take seriously. The coordinated nine-nation format also signals an attempt to move past bilateral hand-wringing toward collective pressure. Whether that pressure has any teeth depends on whether trade, aid, or arms relationships are next on the table — and on that, the statement is silent.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries signed the joint statement on Israel's West Bank policies?
The nine countries that signed the joint statement are the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, and the Netherlands. The statement was released on 23 May and addressed deteriorating conditions in the West Bank.
What is the E1 settlement development and why is it controversial?
The E1 area is a stretch of land in the West Bank where Israel has proposed settlement construction. The nine nations warn that E1 development would physically divide the West Bank in two, constituting a serious breach of international law and further undermining the viability of a Palestinian state.
Why were businesses specifically warned in the joint statement?
The statement cautioned businesses not to bid for construction tenders related to E1 or other settlement developments, citing potential legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of involvement in serious breaches of international law. This is an unusual step that translates diplomatic concern into a direct corporate risk advisory.
What did the nine nations demand from the Israeli government?
The countries called on Israel to end settlement expansion, ensure accountability for settler violence, investigate allegations against Israeli forces, lift financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority, and respect Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem's Holy Sites.
What is the two-state solution and why does the statement emphasise it?
A two-state solution envisions independent states of Israel and Palestine coexisting within secure, recognised borders. The nine nations reaffirmed their commitment to this framework, arguing that current Israeli policies — including settlement expansion and moves toward annexation — are actively undermining its prospects.
