WCC NEWS: EU delegation visits occupied West Bank

The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel hosted a delegation from the European Union for a visit to the “E1 area” of the occupied West Bank on 19 January. Christof Bigot (left), EU Special Representative to the Middle East Peace Process, greets Eid Jahaleen (right), community leader with the Jahaleen Bedouins residing in the E1 area. Photo: WCC 27 January 2026 The EU delegation included Christof Bigot, EU special representative to the Middle East Peace Process; Simon Brombeiss, political advisor to the EU special representative and head of Regional Office in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv; Patrice Burdy, East Jerusalem programme manager; and Serge Maraite, head of the Governance Section. The tour focused on the E1 area, and the long-term threats created by the E1 settlement expansion, how it prevents the creation of a Palestinian state, and how it prevents Israelis and Palestinians from living side-by-side in peace. In addition, the delegation also discussed the humanitarian and economic devastation settlement expansion will bring to vulnerable Palestinian communities throughout the West Bank. About the proposed expansion  On 14 August 2025 Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to build some 3,400 housing units in a controversial settlement project in the E1 area in the occupied West Bank.  On 12 September 2025, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the area and signed the paperwork for construction in E1 intended to house 20,000 Israelis within 10-15 years, ensuring no territorial contiguity for Palestinians.  Construction in E1 will link with Maale Adumim (population 38,000), and the Mishor Adumim settlements and industrial park (population 9500).  A plan is currently under discussion in the Knesset to build a bypass road in the same area where Smotrich envisages the new settlement construction, to segregate Palestinian from Israeli commuters. As a result, Palestinians will no longer be able to enter the Khan Al-Ahmar area, and Bedouins living there will no longer be able to drive outside their enclave or be reached by car. See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland