Islamabad: Eight Arab-Islamic states have collectively condemned Israel’s E1 settlement plan in the occupied Palestinian territory, marking a significant diplomatic stance against Israeli settlement activities. The Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have jointly rejected the plan, highlighting its threat to regional peace and the viability of a two-State solution.

According to Radio Pakistan, the joint statement from the ministers emphasizes the illegal nature of the settlement activities under international law and United Nations resolutions. The statement warns that the E1 plan poses a serious threat to both regional and international peace, undermining the geographical contiguity vital for a future Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministers further criticized the actions of Israeli settlers, supported by occupying authorities, that result in violence against Palestinians. They assert that these actions challenge international efforts towards peace, including those outlined in former President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan, which rejects annexation and forced displacement.

The joint statement reinforces the commitment to a two-State solution as the only viable path to lasting peace and calls for immediate international action to halt the E1 plan. The ministers also advocate for accountability measures against those involved in illegal settlement activities and urge an end to any financial support for settlement expansion.

In urging the United Nations Security Council and international actors to protect Palestinian rights, the statement underscores the urgent need to preserve the prospects for a just and comprehensive peace in the region.