1 week ago
Israel’s E1 Settlement Plan Draws Broad International Condemnation
Israel plans to build more homes for Israeli settlers in an area called E1 near Jerusalem.
The first construction bidding process covers 1,234 homes.
Israel says the larger plan could connect Jerusalem to the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim.
Palestinians and many foreign governments say the building could split the West Bank into northern and southern parts.
They argue this would make it harder to create a connected Palestinian country.
The area is also important because Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
Several European, Arab and other countries called the plan dangerous or unacceptable.
The United States said it opposes annexing the West Bank but did not directly criticize the E1 project.
Israel’s finance minister praised the plan as undermining what he called the “two-state delusion.”
Israel invited bids for seven E1 residential compounds containing 1,234 housing units near Jerusalem.
The units are part of roughly 3,400 E1 homes approved by Israel in August 2025.
Critics say the project could divide the West Bank and undermine a contiguous Palestinian state.
The plan would link Jerusalem with Ma’ale Adumim while disrupting connections among Bethlehem, East Jerusalem and Ramallah.
European, Arab and other governments condemned the project, while the United States reiterated opposition to West Bank annexation without specifically condemning E1 construction.
- Who
- The Israeli government and Housing Ministry are advancing the plan; European, Arab and other governments oppose it.
- What
- Israel issued construction tenders for 1,234 housing units in the E1 area, part of a roughly 3,400-unit settlement plan.
- Where
- E1, near Jerusalem, in the occupied West Bank, between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim.
- When
- The tenders were announced earlier this week, with bids due one week before Israeli elections scheduled for the end of October; the broader plan was approved in August 2025.
- Why
- Israel aims to create a connected settlement bloc, while opponents say the development would disrupt Palestinian territorial contiguity and undermine a two-state solution.
International Critics
Israeli Supporters
Effect on a Palestinian state
International Critics
The project would interrupt Palestinian territorial contiguity, split the West Bank and make a viable, connected Palestinian state more difficult.
Israeli Supporters
Supporters present the project as strengthening a continuous bloc of Jewish settlements between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim.
Two-state solution
International Critics
France, Germany, Britain, Italy and other governments say the plan jeopardizes or undermines the prospect of a two-state solution.
Israeli Supporters
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the expansion as practically erasing what he called the “two-state delusion.”
Annexation concerns
International Critics
Opponents say the construction is a political or structural step toward annexing Palestinian land and demanded no further moves in that direction.
Israeli Supporters
The United States stated that it opposes West Bank annexation, while its response did not specifically condemn the E1 settlement tenders.
Key facts
- Location
- E1, near Jerusalem, in the occupied West Bank
- New tenders
- Seven residential compounds with 1,234 housing units
- Overall plan
- Roughly 3,400 E1 housing units approved in August 2025
- Potential impact
- Critics say the project could divide the West Bank into northern and southern sections
- Israeli position
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the plan practically erases the “two-state delusion”
- United States position
- The United States opposes Israeli annexation of the West Bank but did not specifically condemn the E1 project
- International response
- European, Arab and other governments called the plan unacceptable, dangerous or harmful to a two-state solution
Quotes
US State Department spokesperson
Unnamed spokesperson commenting on US policy toward West Bank annexation.
“As the president has clearly stated, the US does not support Israel annexing the West Bank. A stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this administration’s goal to achieve peace in the region.”
livemint.com
“The Israeli Government’s decision to publish construction tenders for the E1 settlement project is unacceptable...We have long opposed this step.”
livemint.com
Sources
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