(Reuters) -Foreign ministers from European countries, Australia and Britain on Friday jointly condemned Israel's plans to construct a settlement east of Jerusalem. The approval of the "E1" project would bisect the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, fragmenting territory Palestinians seek for an independent state.

A controversial Israeli settlement plan that would effectively split the West Bank in two is gaining momentum after a key government committee -- the Higher Planning Committee of the Civil Administration under the Defense Ministry -- gave its approval.