Israel is expected to give formal planning approval to a highly controversial project for more than 3,400 new homes in the occupied West Bank, known as the E1 plan. The plan, frozen for decades, would extend the Jewish settlement of Ma'ale Adumim towards Jerusalem, effectively splitting the West Bank and further isolating East Jerusalem. Critics argue it would undermine the possibility of a two-state solution.
The decision is anticipated from the Supreme Planning Council next week, after rejecting objections from Israeli NGOs. The move has been championed by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also oversees planning in the occupied territories. Smotrich stated that construction on E1 would 'bury the idea of a Palestinian state'. He claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to revive the plan, though neither has confirmed this.
The international community has strongly condemned the plan. The EU rejected any territorial changes not part of a political agreement, calling annexation illegal under international law. Germany's foreign ministry urged Israel to stop settlement construction, while Norway's foreign minister said the move aimed to prevent a two-state solution. The UK Foreign Office previously described such construction as a 'flagrant breach' of international law.
Smotrich, who faces sanctions from the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for inciting violence against Palestinians, made the announcement at the site of the planned settlement. He declared that the answer to international recognition of a Palestinian state would be 'facts on the ground' in the form of homes and infrastructure. However, it remains unclear how much support he has from Netanyahu and the US administration, which has been evasive when questioned on E1.
