Yesterday, Canada, alongside Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom released a statement regarding the occupied West Bank. Specifically, they reiterated that “International law is clear: Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. Construction projects in the E1 area would be no exception.”
This statement follows advocacy efforts related to E1 by the Global Sanctions Coalition and its Canadian members including Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, Independent Jewish Voices, and Just Peace Advocates.
The E1 annexation project has been a long-standing part of Israel’s settler colonial project. The area sits between three Palestinians cities, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and East Jerusalem. The annexation project would forcibly displace Palestinian communities, destroy their homes, steal their land, and prevent farmers from maintaining their livelihoods.
While the tender process for the E1 project was extended to July 2026, the Israeli government is actively preparing for construction. Just this week, Minister Bezalel Smotrich “instructed the Civil Administration’s Deputy Head of Civil Affairs to begin proceedings for the evacuation of the Palestinian community of Khan al-Ahmar, located east of Jerusalem in the heart of the West Bank” (Peace Now). This follows the demolition of a large Palestinian commercial complex in Al-Eizariya on 12 May 2026 (seen in photos from Peace Now).
As Canada itself reiterated yesterday, Israeli settlements are illegal, including the proposed E1 project. However, Canada must do more than release statements, they must take tangible action to stop the E1 annexation plan and end all support for illegal Israeli settlements. Canada is currently supporting illegal settlements through trade, investments, strategic support, and weapons.
Canada must issue advisory alerts to all Canadian entities against participation in, or investments in companies participating in, the construction of any settlement projects, including in the E1 area.
Further, Canada must immediately implement sanctions against foreign entities participating in illegal settlement activity, including the maintenance of current illegal settlements. Canada must also institute legal proceedings against Canadian entities engaged in the maintenance or expansion of Israel’s illegal settlements.
Canada must take action.
Read the full release.
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