Netherlands and Italy: Israel’s approval of “E1” project threatens two-state solution

SANAA, Aug. 21 (YPA) – The Netherlands and Italy stressed that Israel’s approval of the “E1” settlement project, which stipulates the expansion of settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and the separation of the northern West Bank from the south, categorically threatens the two-state solution.

In this regard, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said in a post on the X platform, on Wednesday evening, that this decision would lead to the division of the occupied West Bank into two parts.

Veldkamp stressed that implementing these plans would constitute a “clear violation” of international law, stressing that “these plans will make the establishment of a future Palestinian state almost impossible.”

The Dutch minister pointed to his country’s firm commitment to the two-state solution, calling on Israel not to take any steps that would undermine this solution.

For his part, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that Israel’s decision to expand the settlements it seized in the occupied West Bank is “unacceptable” and contravenes international law.

He explained in a post on the X platform, on Wednesday evening, that this decision categorically threatens the “two-state solution.”

On Wednesday, the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported that the Israeli government had finally approved the settlement construction plan in the E1 area.