by Sir Vincent Fean and Dr Brian Brivati, of the Britain-Palestine Project, and Hasan Pandor, of SOAS, University of London
20 April 2026
While all eyes are on the American/Israeli war with Iran, Israel proceeds with its systematic West Bank annexation.
German Chancellor Merz has condemned these “annexation moves”, including the illegal E1 settlement project designed to divide the West Bank in two, which destroy any viability of a State of Palestine. Israel attacking Iran and militarily occupying south Lebanon have delayed the publication of Israeli tenders to build 3,401 housing units on Palestinian soil at E1; but tenders are due to be issued on 1 June – and bulldozing could commence before Israeli national elections in October. Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich – a settler under United Kingdom and international sanctions – said E1 would “bury” the idea of a sovereign Palestine.
Smotrich is correct: the E1 settlement would consolidate a de facto one-state reality, with Palestinians confined to disconnected enclaves under Israeli dominance and apartheid. Located between Ma’ale Adumim and East Jerusalem, E1 would physically divide the northern and southern West Bank, irreversibly blocking Palestinian state contiguity and isolating East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank.
Dubbed “the apartheid road”, completion of Route 4370 would confine Palestinians to a sealed bypass corridor. Two separate road systems would be created: open highways integrating settlements directly into Israel’s national network and a walled corridor for Palestinian vehicles with no access to East Jerusalem or the E1/Ma’ale Adumim area.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reiterated that: “Israeli settlements, including the E1 settlement, are a flagrant breach of international law” and that “we will continue to take the necessary action to defend Palestinians and protect the two-state solution.” He has also confirmed that the 1967 Israeli occupation is “unlawful”.
Britain must go beyond Starmer’s “recommendation that settlement products are labelled so that consumers are informed.” Rather, having recognised the State of Palestine last year – alongside France, Canada, Australia and others – Britain should now lead like-minded international partners opposed to Israeli illegal settlements by ensuring that bidding for tenders to build E1 comes with economic consequences for bidders and commercial actors. The duty of non-assistance applies not only to governments but to conduct that materially supports unlawful measures of de facto annexation.
The UK Government should take the lead in resisting illegality and upholding its existing commitments by:
- publicly reaffirming that E1 construction and Route 4370 land seizures are illegal;
- issuing a clear warning, with like-minded partners, that companies participating in E1 construction risk exclusion from UK public procurement and commercial engagement;
- prohibiting UK trade in goods, services and investment with Israeli settlements;
- strengthening differentiation measures between Israel and settlements in trade, investment and procurement policy;
- suspending trade concessions under the UK–Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement in light of Israeli breaches of its human rights clause;
- pressing for an immediate halt to demolitions and displacement in E1, including protection for at-risk Palestinian Bedouin communities.
E1 matters. It will divide the West Bank and make Palestinian statehood geographically impossible. To save the prospect of a sovereign, independent Palestine, as recognised by the UK, it must not be built.
This article is a policy beefing from the BPP and the School of Oriental and African Studies Influencing the Corridors ofPower. The authors are Sir Vincent Fean, trustee and former chair of the Britain Palestine Project; Brian Brivate, BPP Executive Director; and Hasan Pandar of SOAS.
For further information contact the authors at brian@britainpalestineproject.org and vincentfean@gmail.com. Contact Professor Alison Scott-Baumann for access to other experts at as150@soas.ac.uk, and visit our website for more information. The views expressed in SOAS ICOP Briefings are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of SOAS University of London.