4 days ago

Thirty US Senators Urge Israel to Halt E1 Settlement Plan

Thirty US Senators Urge Israel to Halt E1 Settlement Plan
US senators oppose Israeli E1 settlement plan · thehansindia.com

Thirty Democratic senators in the United States asked Israel to stop a planned settlement project called E1.

The project includes tenders for 1,234 homes.

The senators say building there could make it harder to create a future Palestinian state.

They believe E1 could separate East Jerusalem from important Palestinian communities.

They also raised concerns about movement restrictions, economic problems and violence in the West Bank.

The senators asked Israel to stop expanding settlements and act against settler violence.

They also asked the Trump administration to consider targeted sanctions.

E1 is located east of Jerusalem, between Jerusalem and the settlement of Maale Adumim.

Key facts

Senators involved
Thirty Democratic US senators signed the appeal.
Housing units
The E1 project includes tenders for 1,234 housing units.
Location
E1 is east of Jerusalem, between the city and Maale Adumim.
Main concern
The senators said construction could sever East Jerusalem from major Palestinian population centers.
Requested Israeli action
Withdraw the tenders, halt West Bank settlement expansion and address settler violence.
Requested US action
Use existing authorities, including targeted sanctions against individuals and entities involved in settlement expansion and violence.
Earlier initiative
A separate appeal involving 45 senators urged Benjamin Netanyahu to curb settler violence and settlement expansion.

Quotes

Thirty Democratic US senators

Democratic members of the United States Senate opposing the E1 settlement project

“At a time when settler violence — including violence against Palestinian Americans — is reaching unprecedented levels in the West Bank and severe restrictions continue to constrain Palestinian movement and the Palestinian economy, moving forward with construction in E1 risks further destabilizing the West Bank and making a negotiated resolution even more difficult.”
thehansindia.com
“Construction in the E1 area would sever East Jerusalem from major Palestinian population centers and make a viable contiguous Palestinian state under a two-state solution far harder to achieve.”
thehansindia.com

Sources

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