The European Union and Canada jointly condemned Israel’s decision to open tenders for the construction of 1,200 new settlement homes in a strategically critical area of the occupied West Bank, calling the move "unacceptable" and demanding a reversal. The statement cited the project’s violation of international law and its potential to fracture the West Bank, undermining the prospects for a contiguous Palestinian state.
“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 joint communique said. It warned that the settlement would not only push the conflict further but would also erode Israel’s international standing.
International responses also highlighted the environmental consequences of rapid settlement expansion. The West Bank’s fragile ecosystem faces increased pressure from new housing projects, which elevate water demand, waste output, and land‑use changes that threaten biodiversity and local livelihoods.
The tender, covering about 12 square kilometres between East Jerusalem and the settlement of Maale Adumim, was issued by the Israeli housing ministry following criticisms from Bedouin Palestinians and peace‑building groups. The deadline for bids is 19 October, just days before Israel’s general election on 27 October, a timing that complicates potential policy reversals.
Israel has built approximately 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jews in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since its occupation in 1967. With a Palestinian population of around 3.3 million, settlement expansion has become a flashpoint for conflict and a hurdle to sustainable development in the region.
