LONDON, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has described Israeli publication of a tender for the E1 settlement project as an "unacceptable and destructive act."
In a statement released Wednesday evening, Miliband said "E1 would cut across the heart of Palestine and risks separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem, which would endanger the viability of a two-state solution."
The UK has been clear privately and publicly in its opposition to E1 and in its support for a two-state solution as the only way to ensure long-term security and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis, he added.
"All settlements damage that prospect and are a flagrant breach of international law," he said.
Miliband summoned Israel's charge d'affaires on Wednesday, setting out UK's profound objection to Israel publishing a tender, and demanding an immediate reversal.
"Britain will not stand back and accept the destruction of the two-state solution," said Miliband.
Miliband's statement sparked a fiery rebuke from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. "I reject outright the statement of the UK foreign secretary and the patronizing tone of his words," said Sa'ar on social media on Thursday.
Sa'ar labeled Miliband's statement as "entirely one-sided," saying the UK government's decision to damage its relationship with Israel is "deeply unfortunate" and Israel refuses to be a passive victim.
Israel on Tuesday advanced plans for the controversial E1 settlement project in the West Bank, publishing a tender for 1,234 housing units.
The tender, published online by the Ministry of Construction and Housing, covers part of a wider plan for 3,401 housing units in E1, an area east of Jerusalem.
Critics say the move would undermine the territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian state by separating the northern and southern West Bank. ■
