By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD – Foreign ministers from eight Arab and Islamic nations have issued a joint statement unequivocally condemning Israel's continued illegal settlement policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and categorically rejecting the "E1" settlement plan east of occupied East Jerusalem, warning that the expansion threatens the viability of a two-state solution.

The joint statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, who expressed deep concern over the dangerous escalation of settlement activities that undermine the geographical contiguity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly between the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The ministers warned that the "E1" settlement plan constitutes a dangerous escalation that further advances settlement expansion and annexation, threatening the viability and realization of an independent, contiguous Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital. They emphasized that such actions constitute a direct challenge to international efforts aimed at achieving peace, including President Donald Trump's Comprehensive Plan, which unequivocally rejects annexation and forced displacement.

The joint statement reiterated the ministers' condemnation of violations and acts of violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers, with the support of the occupying authorities, against the Palestinian people and their property. They stressed that such acts constitute violations of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions while posing a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

The ministers reaffirmed that the two-state solution, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, remains the only viable path towards a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace. They warned that actions aimed at undermining this solution risk further escalating tensions, threatening regional and international peace, and jeopardizing prospects for lasting stability in the region.

In this context, the ministers supported all efforts aimed at ensuring accountability, including through appropriate international measures and sanctions against entities and individuals responsible for illegal settlement activities, including the "E1" settlement plan, as well as those supporting, facilitating or implementing policies of settlement expansion and annexation. They called for an end to any support or financing that contributes to the establishment, expansion or entrenchment of illegal settlements, stressing that lack of accountability contributes to the continuation of violations and further undermines prospects for peace.

The joint statement called for immediate action to halt the "E1" settlement plan, rescind all measures taken in connection with it, and cease all settlement activities and other measures aimed at altering the geographic and demographic character of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The ministers further called upon the United Nations Security Council, all states and relevant international actors to uphold their responsibilities under international law and take urgent and effective measures to halt illegal settlement expansion, protect the Palestinian people, safeguard their inalienable rights including the right to self-determination, and realize their independent state in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

The statement comes amid growing international concern over Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, which has continued despite widespread condemnation and calls for restraint. The "E1" plan, which involves developing a strategic area east of Jerusalem, has long been viewed by Palestinians and the international community as a major obstacle to peace efforts, as it would effectively sever East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank, making a contiguous Palestinian state unviable.