Malaysia warns firms against Israeli West Bank settlement tenders

Malaysia's government has issued a sharp rebuke of Israel's tender process for settlement construction in the contested E1 zone of the West Bank, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warning of consequences for participating firms. The E1 area, located between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, has long been a flashpoint in Israeli-Palestinian disputes, with settlement expansion there viewed by the international community as an obstacle to peace efforts. Anwar's statement underscores Malaysia's consistent opposition to Israeli settlement policies, reflecting broader regional concern over the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Prime Minister indicated that Kuala Lumpur would maintain a record of international companies bidding for or accepting contracts related to the tenders, with the implicit threat of economic or diplomatic repercussions. Malaysia has previously taken measures against entities involved in Israeli settlement activities, aligning itself with numerous countries and international organisations that view such expansion as illegal under international law. Israel disputes this characterisation, arguing it has legitimate security and historical claims to the territories.