Malaysia denounces Israel's E1 settlement expansion in occupied West Bank

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is the latest politician to condemn an Israeli move this week to launch a construction tender for the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank. "This tract of land east of Jerusalem has long been critical to the viability of a Palestinian state," he said, adding that building on it would "divide the West Bank and gravely undermine the prospect of a contiguous Palestinian homeland". The Malaysian prime minister stressed that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, and expressed that Tel Aviv "continues to act with utter impunity". "Coming amid unprecedented settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and the ongoing genocide in Gaza, this decision shows that the Israeli regime has abandoned even the pretence of seeking peace or respecting the will of the international community." He added that Malaysia will continue to back the right to a Palestinian state. Anwar said that Kuala Lumpur will "take careful note" of any international company choosing to participate in the building of the tender "will act accordingly". I unreservedly denounce the Israeli regime’s decision to issue construction tenders for the E1 settlement project. This tract of land east of Jerusalem has long been critical to the viability of a Palestinian state. Building on it would divide the West Bank and gravely undermine… pic.twitter.com/vK09pSahRM — Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) August 21, 2026