West Bank28 August, 20263 min read
Democratic Senators Led by Ruben Gallego Urge Netanyahu to Halt West Bank E1 Housing Development
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Gallego-led group of Democratic senators urged Netanyahu to reverse the planned West Bank housing development. Joint statement signed by more than a dozen lawmakers.
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The Jerusalem Post was read line by line by the Watchdog: 2.2. See the score →
E1 Tender Sparks U.S. Pushback
A group of Democratic senators led by Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego (D) urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reverse a planned housing development in the West Bank’s E1 area east of Jerusalem, saying the bidding decision would effectively divide Palestinian territory.
The Hill reported the expansion plans would include seven residential compounds with a total of 1,234 housing units, and that an Israel Construction and Housing Ministry tender published on Aug. 18 gives contractors until a deadline of Oct. 19 to bid on the project.
In their Friday joint statement, the senators warned that construction in E1 would take the parties “further away from that goal,” referring to the “two-state solution” they said must deliver “lasting peace and security for both the Jewish, democratic State of Israel and for a future Palestinian state.”
The Hill also said the request cited a separate letter signed by 44 Democratic senators and independent Sen. Angus King (Maine) calling for immediate action against reported violence from Israeli settlers toward Palestinians in the West Bank.
The Hill added that the Democrats urged the Trump administration to make full use of existing authorities, including targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, as they warned Israel risks weakening its international standing and undermining its prospects for long-term security.
Ireland Seeks EU Sanctions
Ireland’s Minister of State for International Cooperation Niall Richmond said his country is working to rally European states to take coordinated economic measures in response to settlement expansion and Israeli actions in the West Bank, stressing that the assaults involve settlers as well as the Israeli government. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Richmond said Ireland has banned the import of products coming from Israeli settlements and is seeking to push European partners to take the same action, aiming to send a message that continued settlement activity, land annexation, and violence against Palestinians are unacceptable. Richmond also said the European Union has already imposed sanctions on individuals linked to settlement activity, but urged expanding the scope of measures to include more people and entities involved in violations against Palestinians.
He warned that settlement expansion and Israeli actions in the West Bank threaten the prospects of achieving a two-state solution, stressing that “the two-state solution is the only path to peace in the region.” Al Jazeera reported that Richmond said Ireland will host next week’s meeting of EU foreign ministers to discuss the issue of the Israeli occupation in the West Bank, while he urged the EU to act with one voice in multilateral forums including continuing support for UNRWA and recognizing the State of Palestine.
Trade Embargo Debate Widens
The Jerusalem Post reported that British PM Andy Burnham is considering a trade embargo against Israeli settlements in the West Bank within weeks, citing government officials and describing a sanctions regime that would likely stop the exchange of both goods and services. The Jerusalem Post said Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced on August 19 that measures are being prepared to “target sanctions at those who participate in illegal settlement expansion,” following Israel’s announcement of a tender for the E1 settlement project. It also described a potential split inside the Labour party, noting that 140 Labour members of Parliament signed a letter calling for sharp measures against Israeli settlements while Labour Friends of Israel warned that banning trade from settlements only would be a “de facto boycott of all of Israel.”
Labour Friends of Israel said in its most recent report that “A boycott of all trade with settlements is practically and politically impossible,” adding it would affect Israeli businesses operating in settlement blocs as well as East Jerusalem and the Old City. The Jerusalem Post’s account tied the debate to the E1 tender referenced in the U.S. senators’ request, as it said Burnham’s contemplated embargo would follow the same E1 settlement project that prompted the earlier British sanctions planning.