London, 11th March 2026 – The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), War on Want, and other civil society partners are calling on the UK Government to take immediate action to halt Israel’s E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank.
With the ongoing U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran and widening regional hostilities increasing instability across the Middle East, the E1 expansion risks further fuelling tensions and undermining peace efforts.
The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, forms part of a global coalition, with partner organisations submitting similar calls to their governments in Canada, the US, and Australia, as part of the Global Sanctions Coalition.
Advocates warn that the E1 expansion, together with the enlargement of Ma’ale Adumim, would permanently sever the West Bank into two disconnected enclaves, entrenching annexation and foreclosing any viable path to a just political solution to Palestinian sovereignty and regional peace. These projects would deliberately reshape the territory’s geography and demographics in clear violation of international law, deepening instability and undermining Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
The UK has condemned settlement expansion, including E1. Civil society leaders say condemnations without consequences will not stop irreversible changes on the ground.
Whilst the Israeli Government has ramped up rhetoric for years in relation to the expansion of E1, concrete plans have only advanced recently. The Israel Land Authority announced the E1 bidding tender in December 2025 and plans to award contracts on the 16th of March 2026. Once these tenders are issued and construction advances, reversal will be nearly impossible.
UK Global Sanctions Coalition endorsers are urging the UK Government to:
- Publicly warn that any person or entity involved in E1 expansion will face targeted economic sanctions, including members of the Israeli Government.
- Signal that participation in the project risks loss of access to UK markets and financial systems.
- Enforce immediate designations should contracts move forward.
If the E1 expansion proceeds, the Global Sanctions Coalition is prepared to support British authorities in identifying involved individuals or entities and documenting sanctionable conduct.
Órlaith Roe, ICJP’s Public Affairs and Communications Officer, said:
“The UK claims to recognise Palestine’s sovereignty, but that commitment must be measured by actions, not statements. Moving forward with E1 would further fragment the West Bank and further entrench a reality of de facto Israeli annexation of Palestinian land.
If Starmer wants the UK’s position on international law and Palestinian self-determination to carry weight, he should make clear that Israel’s steps toward annexation will lead to real political and economic repercussions.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
- Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) is a UK-based organisation working to end the international arms trade.
- War on Want works in the UK and with partners around the world to fight poverty and defend human rights, as part of the movement for global justice.
- For more information, to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact the ICJP news desk at [email protected].
Image: Trocaire/Wikimedia Commons
