Newsletters
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to approve the “E1” project, which would expand settlements seized from Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem. Smotrich stated that the project aims to “eliminate the idea of a Palestinian state.”
According to The Times of Israel, the plan includes building 3,401 housing units between East Jerusalem and the Ma’ale Adumim settlement, located in the West Bank. Smotrich claimed that connecting the illegal Ma’ale Adumim settlement to Jerusalem is necessary despite international pressure.
Israel’s Civil Administration High Planning Council is scheduled to meet on August 20 to give final approval for the construction of 3,401 units under the E1 project.
Israeli civil society organization Peace Now expressed strong opposition, stating:
"The E1 project poses a deadly threat to Israel’s future and to the realization of a peaceful two-state solution. We are standing on the edge of a cliff, and the government is pushing us forward at full speed."
The Palestinian Authority and the European Union, along with other international actors, oppose the E1 plan, which would fragment Palestinian areas in the West Bank and isolate Jerusalem from Palestinian territories.
Analysts warn that the project could effectively destroy the chances for a two-state solution.
The E1 area, historically part of East Jerusalem but near the West Bank neighborhood of Azariyeh, has seen over 12,000 dunams (approximately 12 million square meters) of Palestinian land seized for more than 4,000 housing units and hotels. The project is expected to displace over 5,000 Palestinians.
The goal of the E1 project is to sever the connection between East Jerusalem and Palestinian territories in the West Bank, creating isolated Palestinian enclaves.
The United Nations considers Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories illegal. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the U.N.’s highest judicial body, issued an advisory opinion stating that Israel must halt all new settlement activity and remove settlers from seized Palestinian land. Israel has rejected the ruling.
4 min read
