Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Thirty US Senators Urge Israel to Halt E1 Settlement Plan
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.
Thirty Democratic US senators urged Israel to withdraw tenders for 1,234 housing units in the E1 settlement project.
The senators warned construction could sever East Jerusalem from Palestinian population centers and undermine a viable Palestinian state.
They called on Israel to halt West Bank settlement expansion and address settler violence against Palestinians.
The lawmakers urged the Trump administration to consider targeted sanctions against people and organizations involved in settlement expansion and violence.
E1 lies east of Jerusalem between the city and Maale Adumim, where opponents say construction could disrupt West Bank territorial links.
- Who
- Thirty Democratic US senators, including Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, Ruben Gallego, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, urged the Israeli government to act.
- What
- They called for the withdrawal of tenders for 1,234 E1 housing units, an end to settlement expansion and action against settler violence.
- When
- The appeal followed an earlier initiative by 45 senators concerning settler violence and settlement expansion; no specific date is provided.
- Where
- The statement was issued from Washington and concerns E1, east of Jerusalem, in the West Bank.
- Why
- The senators said construction could undermine a contiguous Palestinian state, destabilize the West Bank and make a negotiated two-state solution more difficult.
- 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.