Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to issue construction tenders for the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, warning that development in the area would further undermine the prospects for a viable and contiguous Palestinian state.
Under the E1 settlement project, Israel plans to issue a tender for more than 1,200 new housing units in the occupied West Bank. Israel’s E1 plan, approved by the government last year, aims to build more than 3,400 housing units on roughly 12sq km (4.6sq miles) of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank. Israeli settlements and outposts are illegal under international law.
The plan would link thousands of settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, which Israel has already illegally annexed, to the Maale Adumim settlement bloc in the West Bank. This would fully sever East Jerusalem, which Palestinians have long wanted as the capital of their future state, from the West Bank. It would also essentially bisect the West Bank.
In a social media post, Anwar slammed Israel’s decision, saying that the tract of land east of Jerusalem has long been regarded as critical to the territorial continuity of a future Palestinian state. “I unreservedly denounce the Israeli regime’s decision to issue construction tenders for the E1 settlement project,” he said.
Anwar warned that construction in the E1 area could divide the West Bank and make it more difficult to establish a geographically connected Palestinian homeland.
“This tract of land east of Jerusalem has long been critical to the viability of a Palestinian state. Building on it would divide the West Bank and gravely undermine the prospect of a contiguous Palestinian homeland.”
Anwar Ibrahim
The E1 area is located east of Jerusalem and has long been a focus of international concern because of its potential impact on the territorial contiguity of the West Bank. Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank has been widely criticised internationally, with the international community maintaining that settlements are illegal under international law.
Also, the Malaysian Prime Minister linked the latest development to wider concerns over Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories. “Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law, yet Israel continues to act with utter impunity,” Anwar said.
He said that the decision comes amid what he described as unprecedented settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and the continuing war in Gaza. According to Anwar, the move demonstrates that Israel has abandoned “even the pretence of seeking peace or respecting the will of the international community.”
Malaysia has consistently supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and has been among the countries calling for stronger international action over developments in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Malaysia Affirms Support For Palestinians
Anwar reaffirmed Malaysia’s support for the Palestinian people and their right to statehood. “Malaysia stands staunchly with the Palestinian people and their inalienable right to a sovereign, viable, contiguous and independent Palestinian state,” he said.
He also issued a warning to international companies that may choose to participate in the E1 settlement project. “Malaysia will take careful note of any international company that chooses to participate in these tenders and will act accordingly,” Anwar said.
The statement signals that Malaysia is closely monitoring potential foreign participation in the project, although the Prime Minister did not specify what measures the government could take against companies involved.
The E1 settlement project is likely to add to already heightened international concern over continued Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. Critics of the project argue that construction in the area could further complicate efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution.
Anwar’s latest comments reinforce his government’s continued support for Palestinian statehood and its opposition to Israeli settlement expansion in territory claimed by Palestinians for a future independent state.
Israel’s Ministry of Construction and Housing approved the start of the bidding process for 1,234 housing units on Tuesday. According to the Israeli rights organisation Ir Amim and peace advocacy group Peace Now, the tender covers one of two construction plans approved for E1.
The submission of bids for the E1 project is due to close on October 19. That is just before elections are scheduled in Israel on October 27, in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government are expected to see falling support.
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