Netanyahu says 'there will be no Palestinian state,' pushes E1 project
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The Israeli prime minister has signed a framework agreement advancing the disputed E1 settlement plan.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the US Independence Day reception, known as the annual Fourth of July celebration, hosted by Newsmax, in occupied al-Quds, on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2025. (Pool Photo via AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signed a framework agreement to advance the contentious E1 settlement plan during a public visit to the illegal settlement of Ma’ale Adumim in the occupied West Bank. The move marks a renewed escalation in "Israel's" settlement expansion strategy and reinforces Netanyahu’s longstanding opposition to Palestinian statehood.
"We are going to fulfill our promise that there will be no Palestinian state, this place belongs to us," Netanyahu declared at the event, which was streamed live by his office. Standing in front of supporters, he added, "We will safeguard our heritage, our land and our security… We are going to double the city’s population."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has previously echoed similar sentiments, hailing the project as a "historic" measure, openly stating that it aims to "bury the idea of a Palestinian state."
Though largely symbolic, the signing paves the way for construction to proceed, following final planning approval granted last month by the Higher Planning Committee of the Civil Administration.
E1 project, consequences for Palestinian statehood
The E1 settlement plan covers approximately 12 square kilometers and lies between the eastern part of al-Quds and the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, settled by roughly 40,000 Israelis. If fully implemented, the project would effectively sever the northern and southern parts of the West Bank, obstructing geographical continuity between Areeha, Ramallah, and Beit Lahm.
Human rights organizations and the United Nations have warned that the construction threatens to forcibly displace several thousand Palestinians living in 18 communities within the E1 area. Critics argue that this constitutes a violation of international law through the forced transfer of population, while also rendering the establishment of a viable Palestinian state impossible.
The E1 plan has sparked significant backlash from the international community. Foreign ministers from 31 Arab and Islamic countries issued a joint statement denouncing the project as a "blatant violation of international law" and a grave threat to regional stability. The UK summoned "Israel's" ambassador in protest, while 22 other nations characterized the move as a "flagrant breach of international law."
Despite global condemnation, Netanyahu appears adamant about his expansionist plan, amid his consistent rejection of Palestinian statehood, previously framing it as a "prize for terrorism" and a potential "Iranian stronghold".
