West Bankupdated 1h ago2 min read
Ed Miliband Warns Firms Against Bidding on Israel’s E1 Settlement Tender
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Britain's foreign secretary Ed Miliband warns companies not to bid on E1 tenders. UK sanctions could apply to firms bidding on E1 tenders.
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E1 Tender and Warnings
The Committee Against the Wall and Settlements disclosed that Israeli occupation authorities issued bids to build 1,080 settlement units in the city of Jerusalem and its surroundings, with bids submitted for construction in Pisgat Ze'ev and Ma'ale Adumim. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband urged companies and individuals not to participate in the 'E1' settlement project in the occupied West Bank, warning that participants may face sanctions.
Miliband said in a statement, "We urge businesses and individuals not to proceed with bids for E1 construction tenders," and he added that participants should be aware of legal and reputational consequences. Gideon Sa'ar condemned Miliband's remarks, saying, "Israel will not be intimidated by threats," and he argued that "Judea and Samaria are not foreign lands to the Jewish people."
Deadline, Legal Consequences
The Jerusalem Post said contractors had until the end of the day on Monday to submit bids for the E1 project, with proposals then examined, winners selected, and building permits obtained before work can begin. The European Council urged Israel to immediately reverse the expansion of settlements and warned businesses and financial institutions against bidding for tenders in the controversial E1 settlement project.
The European Council conclusions stated, "It reiterates that businesses should not bid for construction contracts for E1 or other settlement developments," and the conclusions underlined legal, economic and reputational consequences. The Times of Israel said Miliband warned that the UK had created new powers to sanction individuals and companies involved in the construction of illegal settlements such as E1, and it quoted him saying, "We have created new powers allowing us to sanction individuals and companies".
Economic and Political Stakes
Yaffa News Network reported that more than 60 Israeli economic experts warned on Sunday of the economic consequences of settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, particularly in the E1 area east of Jerusalem. The petition published by the experts said settler attacks and settlement construction plans in the E1 area were among the main factors deepening Israel's isolation, and it called for a change in policies that exacerbate the damage.
The Yaffa report said the experts warned that the damage to the Israeli economy would intensify as more countries impose sanctions covering various economic sectors, and it cautioned that economic relations between Israel and Europe could deteriorate. The Yaffa report also cited figures showing that the Jewish People Policy Institute recorded 121 measures and sanctions imposed on Israel by 62 countries, including 93 classified as currently in force, 19 as historical measures, and nine as proposed or under consideration.