British Foreign Secretary: Israel’s E-1 Project a ‘Breach of International Law’

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Wednesday strongly criticized Israel’s decision to move forward with housing construction in the E-1 corridor, the area linking Jerusalem to Ma’ale Adumim, calling the plan “a flagrant breach of international law.”

In a statement, Lammy warned that the development of E-1 “would divide a Palestinian state in two, mark a flagrant breach of international law and critically undermine the two-state solution.” He urged, “The Israeli government must reverse this decision.”

Echoing Lammy’s position, a spokesperson for the German government stated that the expansion of “settlement construction” violates international law and “hinders a negotiated two-state solution and an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.”

These reactions followed the Civil Administration’s approval to advance the E-1 project alongside steps to officially recognize the town of Asael. The E-1 plans were formally announced last Thursday during a press conference led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The E-1 project, debated for decades, involves roughly 3,400 housing units and represents a significant milestone toward implementing long-standing development proposals in the strategic area.

At the same time, the committee gave the green light to move Asael’s planning into the deposit stage, enabling further progress toward its legalization. The blueprint for Asael includes 342 homes, public amenities, and supporting infrastructure — all viewed as necessary components for establishing the community on a permanent basis.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich celebrated the approvals, describing them as “historic.” He said, “In E1, we are finally fulfilling promises made years ago. This is a defining moment for settlement, for national security, and for the State of Israel.”

Despite the criticism from European leaders, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee defended the move, insisting that “this is not a violation of international law.”

In an interview with Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio), Huckabee added, “We will not dictate to Israel what to do, we will not interfere in the running of the country. It would be very strange to say that others can live in this area but Israelis cannot.”

The US State Department similarly backed Israel’s stance, emphasizing that the construction of Jewish housing in the E-1 corridor enhances the country’s security and aligns with the administration’s overall policy objectives.

{Matzav.com}