In an open letter released on Wednesday, over 440 signatories called on the EU and its member states to respond to Israel’s intention to advance the E1 project, a proposed development spanning around 12 square kilometers that includes plans for approximately 3,400 housing units.

The project, located between east Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, would deepen territorial fragmentation by further separating Palestinian areas, according to the letter.

“The EU and its member states, together with partners, must take immediate action to deter Israel from further advancing its illegal annexation of Palestinian land in the West Bank,” the signatories said, advocating targeted sanctions including visa bans and business restrictions against individuals involved in settlement activity.

Among those endorsing the appeal were former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt.The letter cited Israeli plans to issue an initial construction tender on June 1, potentially enabling housing for up to 15,000 settlers, and urged swift diplomatic and economic measures to halt the initiative.

International concern over the E1 project has been longstanding, with the United Nations warning it could pose an “existential threat” to the viability of a contiguous Palestinian state.According to international law, Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal, though Israel disputes this characterization.

More than 500,000 Israelis currently live in such settlements, alongside roughly three million Palestinians in the territory.

Data from the United Nations indicate that settlement expansion reached its highest level in recent years in 2025, while reports from Palestinian authorities and the UN point to a rise in violence involving settlers since the start of the Iran conflict in late February.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.

After both Rajoub and Israeli football representative Basim Sheikh Suliman addressed delegates, FIFA President Gianni Infantino invited the two officials to stand beside him for a photograph.Rajoub declined repeatedly, despite several attempts by Infantino to persuade him to participate.

At one point, Rajoub could be heard saying, “We are suffering,” according to footage from the meeting.The incident followed renewed Palestinian pressure on FIFA over Israeli football clubs based in West Bank settlements, an issue that has remained a source of dispute for years within world football’s governing body.

The Palestinian Football Association has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA declined to impose sanctions on Israel over clubs located in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian officials argue that such clubs should not be allowed to compete in leagues organized under Israeli football authorities because the settlements are considered illegal under international law by much of the international community.

In 2024, United Nations experts identified at least eight football clubs operating in what they described as “Israeli colonial settlements” and called on FIFA to fulfill its human rights responsibilities by addressing the issue.

Speaking to reporters after the congress, Rajoub urged FIFA to enforce its own statutes consistently.“Apply the statutes with fairness, with logic,” he said.He also cited the broader impact of the Gaza war on Palestinian sport, accusing Israel of destroying sports facilities and causing the deaths of Palestinian athletes and staff.

“What’s going on in Palestine is terrible, destroying all the Palestinian sport facilities in Gaza, the killings of hundreds of Palestinian athletes, employees I think it’s now the time to make justice,” Rajoub said.Referring to the Israeli delegate, he added: “The guy who spoke on behalf of Israel, he did not even pay attention to the suffering, to what’s going on.”

“I refused to shake hands. How can I shake hands or have a photo with such a man?”FIFA has faced repeated calls from Palestinian officials and rights advocates to take action over Israeli settlement clubs, but the governing body has so far stopped short of imposing disciplinary measures.

The issue has added to wider political tensions surrounding international sport as the conflict in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories continues to affect athletes, federations and major sporting institutions.

The incident has renewed concerns over growing pressure on vulnerable Bedouin communities living close to expanding Israeli settlements.

Local officials said the targeted community, known as Al-Ma’azi, has faced repeated harassment and violence aimed at forcing residents off their land. The area is considered strategically important due to its proximity to existing settlements and planned expansion routes.

Residents reported that settlers entered the vicinity of their homes, intimidating families and threatening further action if they did not leave the area. Such attacks have become increasingly frequent, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the community members.

The Al-Ma’azi community is home to around 40 families, with a total population of about 200 people. Nearly 70 residents are children, making the situation particularly alarming for humanitarian and child welfare groups.

Families in the community live under harsh conditions, with limited access to basic services such as water, electricity, and healthcare. Despite these challenges, residents have continued to remain on their land, viewing displacement as a loss of livelihood and identity.

Officials say settlers are seeking to seize land in the Jaba’ area to expand nearby settlements and link them together. This process, they argue, would further fragment Palestinian territory and restrict movement between towns and villages.

Bedouin communities around Jerusalem have long been vulnerable to displacement due to their location in contested areas. Human rights advocates note that these communities often lack formal recognition, making them easier targets for eviction.

In recent years, pressure on Bedouins has increased through a combination of settler violence, demolitions, and access restrictions. Residents say such tactics are designed to make daily life unbearable, leaving relocation as the only option.

According to official figures from Palestinian authorities, more than 33 Bedouin communities have been displaced from dozens of locations across the West Bank since late 2023. This has resulted in the forced transfer of over 2,300 people, many of whom have been displaced multiple times.

The displacement has had serious social and economic consequences, particularly for families dependent on herding and agriculture. Loss of grazing land and access routes has disrupted traditional livelihoods that have existed for generations.

Just last week, around 20 Palestinian families from the Shallal Al-Auja area north of Jericho were forced to move. They cited repeated attacks, threats, and property damage as reasons for leaving their homes.

Observers warn that continued displacement could permanently alter the demographic landscape of the central West Bank. They argue that settlement expansion and land seizures undermine prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

International organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about the treatment of Bedouin communities in occupied areas. They emphasize that forced displacement violates international humanitarian law and worsens humanitarian conditions.

Residents of Al-Ma’azi fear that without immediate protection, they may face the same fate as other displaced communities. Many families say they are preparing for the possibility of being forced to leave, despite having nowhere else to go.

Community leaders are calling for international attention and intervention to halt further attacks. They stress that protection of civilians is essential to prevent another wave of displacement.

As tensions continue to rise, the situation near Jerusalem remains fragile and unpredictable. For the families living there, the attack has reinforced fears that their presence on the land is increasingly under threat.