Spain condemns Israel's decision to advance settlements in occupied West Bank

Spain's Foreign Ministry on Friday condemned Israel's decision to move forward with new settlement construction in the occupied West Bank as part of the E1 settlement project.

"The Spanish Government strongly condemns the Israeli Government's decision to issue a call for tenders to build more than 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 area, which breaks the territorial continuity of Palestine and separates East Jerusalem from the West Bank," the Ministry said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares also expressed his condemnation on US social media platform X, underlining that settlements are contrary to international law and peace.

"Israel must reverse its decision and advance in the implementation of the two-State solution," Albares said.

The Ministry statement also called on the international community to fulfil its responsibilities to promote the implementation of the two-State solution, which it described as the sole solution "that will enable progress towards a just and lasting peace in the region."

Israeli rights groups Ir Amim, Bimkom and Peace Now said Tuesday that Israel had reneged on its commitment regarding the E1 project by issuing a tender for the construction of 1,234 settlement units without giving prior notice to the petitioners challenging the plan.

The E1 plan covers roughly 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles) east of Jerusalem and seeks to link the illegal Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim with Jerusalem through the construction of Jewish-only housing on Palestinian land.