Cairo: Eight countries, including Trkiye, have condemned Israeli settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories, demanding a halt to the “E1” project. The foreign ministers of Turkey, the UAE, Indonesia, Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan expressed their categorical rejection of Israel’s continued illegal settlement policy in occupied East Jerusalem.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the ministers issued a joint statement affirming that acts of violence and violations by settlers against Palestinians, supported by Israeli occupation authorities, violate international law and relevant UN resolutions. They asserted these actions do not diminish the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

The statement warned that the “E1” plan represents a dangerous escalation, expanding settlements and consolidating annexation policies. This threatens the viability of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministers noted that these actions challenge international peace efforts, including former President Donald Trump’s comprehensive peace plan, which rejected annexation and forced displacement. They emphasized that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to achieving lasting peace.

The statement highlighted that undermining this solution could escalate tensions, threaten peace and security, and jeopardize prospects for stability in the region. The ministers expressed support for accountability measures, including sanctions against those responsible for illegal settlement activities.

They called for an end to support and funding for illegal settlements and urged immediate action to halt the E1 settlement plan. The ministers also appealed to the UN Security Council and international bodies to uphold responsibilities under international law to protect Palestinian rights.

The “E1” project aims to link the Jewish settlement of Ma’ale Adumim to West Jerusalem, potentially severing geographical continuity between the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel confiscated land in the area in 1999, paving the way for illegal construction. Despite previous freezes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the project in September 2025, raising concerns about its impact on Palestinian statehood.