London: The UK Foreign Office has summoned Israeli occupation ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to express its opposition to the "E1" settlement plan in East Jerusalem. This move highlights the growing international concern regarding the expansion plans in the contested area.
According to Kuwait News Agency, a brief statement from the UK Foreign Office indicated that the Israeli ambassador was informed of a joint statement signed by the UK, 20 international partners, and the European Union. The statement strongly condemned the expansion of settlements in East Jerusalem, urging Israel to reconsider its decision. The foreign ministers of the participating countries emphasized that the expansion could undermine efforts for security and prosperity in the Middle East.
The joint statement reiterated the importance of halting settlement construction, aligning with the directives of UN Security Council Resolution 2334. The Israeli occupation's supreme planning council recently approved a plan to construct over 3,401 units and a new settlement, which has sparked international backlash.