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Austria calls Israel’s E1 settlement decision ‘another step away from peace’

"Israel's settlement plans in the West Bank are another step away from peace. No facts may be created that make a two-state solution impossible," Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger wrote on US social media company X.

Anadolu Agency EUROPE
Published August 21,2026 06:45 PM
Updated August 21,2026 06:48 PM
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Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (REUTERS File Photo)

Austria on Friday joined other European countries in rejecting Israel's decision to advance construction tenders for the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank.

"Israel's settlement plans in the West Bank are another step away from peace. No facts may be created that make a two-state solution impossible," Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger wrote on US social media company X.

"The plans of the Israeli government are in violation of international law," Meinl-Reisinger said, urging Israel to step back from the plan.

Austria's reaction came a day after the UK, Italy, France and Germany condemned Israel's decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project, saying the move would threaten prospects for a two-state solution by undermining the territorial contiguity of Palestinian territories.