Egypt and Turkey have condemned Israel’s decision to advance its controversial E1 settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, warning that it violates international law.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, voiced strong opposition to the planned construction during a phone call.
The move gained momentum after Israel opened tenders for more than 1,200 housing units in the E1 area, east of Jerusalem.
The ministers said the project would divide the occupied West Bank and disrupt territorial links needed for a future Palestinian state.
They also warned that construction in E1 would isolate East Jerusalem from surrounding Palestinian communities.
Egypt and Turkey said cutting the geographic link could seriously undermine prospects for an independent and viable Palestinian state.
Cairo urged the international community to take immediate action to stop the expansion and support borders based on the June 1967 lines.
The criticism comes amid wider international opposition, including from British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who called on Israel to reverse the decision.
Egypt and Türkiye also reiterated calls for a permanent Gaza ceasefire, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and unrestricted humanitarian aid access.