MALAYSIA will closely monitor and take appropriate action against any international company that chooses to participate in Israel’s construction tenders for the controversial E1 settlement project, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned.
In a strongly worded statement in a Facebookpost on Friday, Anwar unreservedly denounced the Israeli regime’s decision to issue construction tenders for the project, describing the tract of land east of Jerusalem as critical to the viability of a future Palestinian state.
“Building on it would divide the West Bank and gravely undermine the prospect of a contiguous Palestinian homeland,” he said.
Anwar said the E1 area had long been vital to ensuring the territorial continuity and viability of a sovereign Palestinian state.
He said Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank were illegal under international law, but Israel continued 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 said.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Malaysia’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people and their inalienable right to a sovereign, viable, contiguous and independent state.
“Malaysia stands staunchly with the Palestinian people and their inalienable right to a sovereign, viable, contiguous and independent Palestinian state,” he said.
Anwar said Malaysia would take careful note of any company involved in the E1 construction tenders.
“Malaysia will take careful note of any international company that chooses to participate in these tenders and will act accordingly,” he said.
Israel opened tenders on Aug 18 for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the E1 area as part of a wider plan involving 3,401 units.
The E1 tract covers about 12 square kilometres east of Jerusalem, between East Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement.
The project is feared to sever the territorial continuity of the West Bank by separating its northern and southern areas while further isolating East Jerusalem from the surrounding Palestinian territories. - August 21, 2026
