Israel approves the contradictory plans of the E1 settlement on the west coast

Israel gave the final approval to a conflicting settlement project that would effectively disconnect the occupied western shore from Eastern Jerusalem and divide the territory by two.

Construction in the E1 area has been frozen for two decades amid a tough international opposition. Critics warn that this will put an end to hope for a viable, adjacent Palestinian state.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Defense Committee approved plans for 3400 houses in E1. The Minister of Finance in the extreme right -wing League, who presented them last week, said the idea of the Palestinian state was “erased”.

The Palestinian authorities condemned the move, saying it was illegal and “destroy” prospects for a two -state decision.

This implies the declarations of the increasing number of countries that they intend to recognize the Palestinian state, which Israel has declared.

Israel built about 160 settlements living 700,000 Jews, as it occupied the western shore and eastern Jerusalem – Palestinians who want, together with Gaza, for the hope for the future – during the 1967 war. Approximately 3.3 million Palestinians live near them.

Settlements are considered illegal in accordance with international law – a post supported by an International Court’s Advisory conclusion last year – although Israel disputes it.

Consistent Israeli governments have allowed settlements to grow. However, the expansion has increased dramatically as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power at the end of 2022, headed by the right coalition on the Setler, as well as the outbreak of gas caused by Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 on Israel.

Plans for 3 401 housing units in the E1 – covering about 12 square km (4.6 square miles) between East Jerusalem and the Maal Obumim settlement – were approved by the Higher Planning Council.

The Ministry of Defense user also approved 342 units in the new settlement Asael, a former outpost on the southern western shore, which was built without the government, but in May was a legal law.

Smatrich, an ultra -nationalist leader and a settler who controls the civil administration, said: “The Palestinian state is erased from the table not with the slogans, but with the actions.”

“Every settlement, every neighborhood, every housing department is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea.”

He also urged Netanyahu to “complete the step” and formally attach the western shore.

Israel effectively annexed Eastern Jerusalem in 1980, passing, not recognized as the vast majority of the international community.

Opponents of the E1 project warn that it will effectively block the creation of a Palestinian state because it will turn off the north of the west shore from the south, and prevent the development of the nearby Palestinian city zone connecting Ramal, Eastern Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Israeli anti -Netty, who has now warned: “Under the cover of the war, Smotrich and its messianic minority are building a settlement sentenced to evacuation in any agreement. The sole purpose of E1 is to sabotage the political solution and hurry to the Binional State of Apartheid.”

The Palestinian power, which manages the parts of the Western Bank, which is not under complete Israeli control, also condemned the statement of E1 plans.

“This plan to nominate Jerusalem from his Palestinian environment, immerse it in large-scale settlements” and fragment the western shore “into the disabled enclaves reminiscent of open-air tours,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

It also claimed that the assertion was “the official involvement of Israeli inclusion in the crimes of settlement, annexation, genocide and violent movement” – the allegations of Israel have long been dismissed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has addressed “true international actions, including sanctions, to force Israel to stop its colonial schemes (…) and respect the international consensus on the Palestinian issue.”

British Foreign Minister David Lami said the E1 plans, when it was implemented, “divide the Palestinian state into two, to note the flagrant violation of international law and critically undermines the two -state decision.”

“The Israeli government must change this decision,” he added.

King Abdullah II Jordan also rejected the E1 plans, saying: “The two-state decision is a way to reach a fair and comprehensive peace.”

A spokesman for the German government said the construction of the settlement violated international law and “impeded the two-state decision and cessation of Israeli occupation of the Western shore.”

There was no immediate comment from the US.

However, when asked by the Israeli Radio Army on Monday about the Trump administration’s position on E1, Ambassador Mike Hakababi said: “Should there be mass development in the E1, this decision is to make the Israeli government. So we would not try to evaluate good or bad.”

“As a rule, this is not a violation of international law. And we all recognize that Israelis have the right to live in Israel.”

The on July 2024 of the International Court, an advisory conclusion that “the permanent presence of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal” and that the country “is obliged to finish its illegal presence … as soon as possible.”

At the time, the Prime Minister of Israel said the court made a “decision” and insisted that “the Jewish people are not an occupier on their land.”