Miliband warns firms off E1 settlement tender bids as deadline hits, citing sanctions

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband warned businesses and individuals not to engage with Israel’s E1 settlement tender on Monday’s bid deadline, declaring:

“The decision by the Israeli Government to open tenders for settlements in E1 is a direct threat to the prospect of a two-state solution and has been widely condemned by the international community,” he said. “I want to be very clear with those considering engaging in the tendering process: we have created new powers allowing us to sanction individuals and companies involved in the construction of illegal settlements such as E1.”

He added: “We urge businesses and individuals not to proceed with bids for E1 construction tenders. They should be aware of legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of involving themselves in serious breaches of international law.”

The statement said Britain “will not accept the continued displacement of Palestinians and the unlawful occupation that persists”, and recommitted to banning goods from illegal settlements and action on services financing them. It also condemned escalating settler violence, including attacks on officials from France, Belgium and Poland, a Catholic Church representative and a US journalist.

E1 lies between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim; Reuters notes construction would bisect the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem. Per Haaretz, the bid-opening is delayed a month after Israel’s 27 October election; a second tender opens 25 October, a third expected in November.

Sources: GOV.UK · Reuters · Al Arabiya English · Haaretz 17 Oct