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Israel Approves Massive E1 Settlement to Connect Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem
Finance Minister Smotrich approved construction of 3,401 housing units in the E1 area, a move critics say will block Palestinian statehood by dividing the West Bank.
- On August 14, 2025, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced approval for constructing 3,401 housing units in the E1 settlement area east of Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank.
- This announcement responds to planned recognition of a Palestinian state by Western countries and follows decades of frozen development amid international opposition.
- The plan aims to connect Maale Adumim settlement to Jerusalem, effectively dividing the West Bank and hindering the viability of a future Palestinian state, sparking widespread condemnation.
- Smotrich warned that any attempt by countries to acknowledge a Palestinian state would be met with a tangible response, stressing that actual developments on the ground, such as new housing and neighborhood expansion, will take precedence over formal declarations or statements.
- Although preliminary steps remain before final approval, construction-related groundwork is expected to start in the coming months; however, opponents caution this decision may extend the conflict and critically undermine the viability of a two-state solution.
87 Articles
87 Articles
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Israel’s far-right finance minister pushed for expanding Jewish settlements across the Palestinian territories, despite increasing international pushback. Bezalel Smotrich said Thursday that construction plans were approved for a West Bank project that “finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state,” days after he said Israel was “closer than ever” to reestablishing settlements in Gaza that were evacuated two decades ago. Much of the world cons…
Israel advances controversial E1 project, threatening Palestinian state plans
Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich vowed to advance the E1 West Bank settlement, saying it will “bury” Palestinian statehood. Palestinians and rights groups warn it would split the territory and doom peace prospects.
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An Israeli minister from the far right called on Thursday to speed up a key project to build 3400 housing units in the West Bank and to annex this Palestinian territory occupied by Israel, in response to the announcements of several countries to recognize a Palestinian State.
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