Paris, August 20 (QNA) - France, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway on Thursday urged Israel to immediately withdraw its plans for the E1 settlement project and halt settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

In a joint statement, the seven countries said Israel's decision to issue construction tenders for the E1 project was unacceptable, warning that it would undermine the prospects for a two-state solution by splitting the West Bank and damaging the territorial contiguity of the Palestinian territories.

The countries stressed that international law considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal, a position reaffirmed by the UN Security Council.

They urged the Israeli government to abandon the plans and end settlement expansion, warning that such measures would further distance the region from peace.

The seven countries also called on companies not to bid for construction work on the project, warning of potential legal and reputational consequences.

They reaffirmed their commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution. (QNA)