Brussels, Aug. 22 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday (local time) criticised Israel's decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project, calling it "unacceptable" and warning that it undermines prospects for a two-state solution.

In a post shared on X, von der Leyen shared a joint statement issued by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the European Commission, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Austria and Greece.

"The Israeli Government's decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project is unacceptable. We have long opposed this step. It undermines the two-state solution by dividing the West Bank and breaking th...