Israel pushes back against UK protest over E1 settlement project

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has “categorically” rejected criticism from his British counterpart Ed Miliband over Israel’s announcement of a tender to build homes for Jewish settlers in the E1 area near Jerusalem.

Writing on X, Sa’ar also dismissed what he called the “patronising” tone of Miliband’s statement, Caliber.Az reports.

“I reject outright the statement of the UK Foreign Secretary and the patronising tone of his words. The Jewish people have the right to live throughout the Land of Israel, just as the British have the right to live in London and throughout the United Kingdom. <...> There have been no new decisions regarding development in E1. The decision was made on 2025,” Sa’ar said.

I reject outright the statement of the UK Foreign Secretary and the patronising tone of his words.

The Jewish people have the right to live throughout the Land of Israel, just as the British have the right to live in London and throughout the United Kingdom. More than a century… https://t.co/eCazg1CU7A

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) August 20, 2026

According to the minister, “the tender process has been underway for several months,” while “certain tender documents published only in recent days.” 

“The British Foreign Secretary’s statement is entirely one-sided. It condemns Israel while turning a blind eye to Palestinian terrorism, incitement and the Palestinian Authority’s continued financial support for terror - the ‘pay for slay’ policy,” he added.

Earlier, Miliband condemned the Israeli authorities’ approval of the tender for the E1 settlement project and summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires.

By Jeyhun Aghazada