London, UK, 22 August 2025

In a new  diplomatic move, the UK has summoned the Israeli Ambassador to London, Tzipi Hotovely, to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) following the Israeli government’s final approval of a new and widely condemned settlement plan in the occupied West Bank. The move underscores the UK’s strong opposition to the E1 settlement project, which officials and international partners believe is a “flagrant breach of international law” and poses a critical threat to the two-state solution.

The decision by Israel’s Higher Planning Committee to approve the construction of approximately 3,400 new housing units in the E1 area, located east of Jerusalem, has drawn swift and widespread condemnation from the UK and 21 other international partners. The new construction would effectively sever the West Bank in two, isolating East Jerusalem and preventing the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state.

Headline Points

 * UK Summoned Israeli Ambassador: The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officially summoned Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to register its strong protest against the newly approved E1 settlement plan.

 * Settlement Plan a “Flagrant Breach”: The UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has condemned the E1 project as a “flagrant breach of international law” and stated that its implementation would “critically undermine the two-state solution.”

 * International Condemnation: The UK is not alone in its condemnation. A joint statement was issued by 21 international partners, including France and other European nations, calling on Israel to reverse the decision.

 * Strategic Location: The E1 settlement project is considered particularly contentious because of its location. It would connect the existing Maale Adumim settlement with occupied East Jerusalem, essentially creating a barrier that would split the West Bank into northern and southern halves.

 * Israeli Response: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has been sanctioned by the UK, has been quoted as saying the decision “buries the idea of a Palestinian state.” Ambassador Hotovely, in a separate statement, reportedly pushed back against the UK’s criticism, stating, “I wouldn’t tell the British where to build in London.”

 * Previous UK Stance: The UK has consistently opposed Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank. The FCDO had previously issued a statement condemning the reintroduction of the E1 plan, which had been frozen since 2021.

 * Threat to Peace: The international community, including the UN, views the continued expansion of settlements as a major obstacle to peace and stability in the region. The latest development comes amidst ongoing military operations and a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region.

The UK’s action is part of a broader international effort to urge Israel to reconsider its decision, which many believe will fuel further violence and instability. While Israel disputes the legality of the settlements, the vast majority of the international community considers them illegal under international law. The diplomatic pressure aims to halt the plan before it is fully implemented, as its completion would make the prospect of a viable Palestinian state nearly impossible.