500 Former European Officials Urge EU to Act Against Illegal West Bank Settlements

Around 500 former diplomats, ministers and European officials called on Monday for the European Union to take concrete action against Israel’s illegal West Bank settlements, warning that a planned project near Jerusalem could destroy prospects for a two-state solution.

The appeal came in an open letter cited by the Belga news agency. The signatories urged the EU and its member states to move against Israel’s planned E1 settlement project, which envisages more than 1,200 housing units near Jerusalem.

They said the project would cut the occupied West Bank into two parts and further isolate occupied East Jerusalem from the rest of the territory. The letter described a two-state solution as “the only possible outcome that could resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Criticism of the EU’s inaction on West Bank settlements

The signatories accused the bloc of failing to meet its obligations under international law. “Despite the far-reaching consequences of the new land annexation, the EU has taken no measures to deter E1,” they said.

Germany and Italy also came under fire in the letter for opposing sanctions against Israel.

The former officials called on the European Commission to submit legislative proposals at once to sanction financial institutions and service providers involved in building the E1 project and other settlements deemed illegal under international law. They further urged the EU to prevent all trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The signatories include former Belgian prime minister Yves Leterme, former French prime ministers Dominique de Villepin and Alain Juppe, former Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven and former Italian prime minister Massimo D’Alema.

Brussels summit ahead

EU leaders are scheduled to discuss a range of issues, including developments in the Middle East, at a summit in Brussels on October 15 and 16.

Calls to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement have persisted amid concern over Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories and its attacks across the region.

The letter lands amid rising settler violence. The photograph accompanying the appeal shows the Jalud home of Mahmod Tubasi, 60, and his wife Aedah, 51, which the couple say was damaged in an Israeli settler attack on September 29.

Who signed the letter on West Bank settlements?

Around 500 former European diplomats, ministers and officials, including four former prime ministers of Belgium, France, Sweden and Italy.

What is the E1 settlement project?

A planned Israeli project to build more than 1,200 housing units near Jerusalem, which critics say would split the West Bank in two and isolate East Jerusalem.

What action do the signatories want from the EU?

Sanctions on banks and service providers involved in the E1 project, an end to all trade with Israeli settlements, and a tougher response to violations of international law.