Britain warns E1 bidders of sanctions and legal consequences

LONDON: Britain has warned individuals and companies bidding for construction contracts on Israel’s disputed E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank of sanctions, legal consequences and damage to their reputation. The deadline for submitting bids was Monday.

In a statement, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the Israeli government’s decision to open tenders for E1 was a direct threat to the prospects of a two-state solution. He said the international community had widely condemned it. According to him, Britain has introduced new powers to impose sanctions on individuals and companies involved in building illegal settlements.

Miliband urged businesses and individuals to avoid bidding in the E1 construction tenders, saying they could also risk involvement in serious violations of international law, besides legal and reputational damage. He said the British government would not accept the continued displacement of Palestinians and the illegal occupation.

E1 is a largely undeveloped area between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim. It is among the most disputed building projects in the West Bank. Several Western countries and campaign groups have opposed it over fears that it could damage a future peace agreement with the Palestinians.

According to China Daily HK, Israel advanced the project in August by issuing a tender for 1,234 housing units. The tender, published online by the Israeli Ministry of Construction and Housing, is part of a larger plan for 3,401 units in the E1 area. The Jerusalem Post, citing Reuters, reported that last month the Jerusalem District Court allowed the tender to proceed, but did not rule on the legality of the underlying construction plans. After the bids, they will need to be reviewed, successful parties selected and building permits obtained.

In September, 12 countries, including Canada, Denmark, Finland and France, announced tighter trade restrictions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Their foreign ministers described the E1 decision as a development that undermines the prospects of a Palestinian state.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar strongly condemned Miliband’s statement. He said the days when Israel quietly accepted threats, sanctions and attempts to dictate its policies were over. According to him, Judea and Samaria are not foreign land to the Jewish people, and approval from London is not needed for historical rights. He also advised the British Labour government to focus on problems in its own country.