Smotrich approves settlement plans to 'bury the Palestinian state'
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Bezalel Smotrich advances the E1 settlement plan to split east occupied al-Quds from the West Bank, threatening future Palestinian statehood.
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Israeli Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich gestures as he speaks during a conference in occupied al-Quds, on March 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
"Israel's" Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has approved the advancement of the E1 settlement plan, a long-stalled construction project that would effectively sever east occupied al-Quds from the rest of the occupied West Bank.
"The plan will bury the idea of a Palestinian state," Smotrich stated, describing it as the "final nail in the coffin" for Palestinian statehood.
According to Smotrich, the plans have been advanced with complete coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "our friends in the United States."
"The US administration completely supports our steps in the West Bank," he said.
The plan reportedly includes the construction of 3,401 housing units in Ma'aleh Adumim, an illegal settlement located in the occupied West Bank. Additionally, the area, known as E1, is considered strategically vital by both Israeli authorities and Palestinians.
"From the Palestinian perspective and that of the international community, this is a critical area. Without it, the establishment of a Palestinian state with East al-Quds as its capital is simply impossible," Smotrich said.
Implications for Palestinian statehood
It is worth mentioning that the E1 settlement plan has long been viewed as a major obstacle to the formation of a viable Palestinian state, according to the Jerusalem Post. By extending Ma'aleh Adumim westward toward east al-Quds, the plan would split the West Bank in two, isolating northern Palestinian cities such as Ramallah from Beit Lahm and Areeha.
Moreover, Peace Now, a prominent anti-settlement organization, previously said the E1 project dealt a "death blow to the two-state solution."
According to the report, Smotrich emphasized that this time, the plan is intended to move forward. He tied its implementation to the broader policies of the current government, which, he said, began laying the groundwork for the de facto annexation of parts of the West Bank.
"The approval of construction in the E1 area undermines the idea of a Palestinian state and is part of the broader steps we are taking as part of our de facto sovereignty plan, which began with the formation of this government," he said.
"After decades of international pressure and freezing of projects, we are defying conventions and cementing the connection between Ma'aleh Adumim and Jerusalem."
Domestic reactions and regional impact
Furthermore, the plan has been welcomed by settlers and local officials in the area. The report detailed that Israel Ganz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council, described it as "a historic achievement for the settlement movement, laying the groundwork for the eventual implementation of sovereignty."
Ma'aleh Adumim Mayor Guy Yifrach also voiced support, claiming that the construction would counter what he described as Palestinian "illegal building" efforts in the area. "Palestinians have tried to undermine this area through illegal construction, but the creation of this new neighborhood will thwart their efforts," Yifrach said.
It is worth mentioning that the E1 project had been on hold since 2012 due to strong opposition from the US, European allies, and other international powers, who argue that it threatens the viability of any future peace deal.
'Israel' defies law, approves illegal settlements
Earlier this year, the Israeli Security Cabinet secretly approved the establishment of 22 illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, Israeli media reported on May 29. According to Ynet, the Cabinet “secretly approved two weeks ago the establishment of 22 settlements in Judea and Samaria."
The decision, which was reportedly made two weeks ago, includes plans to re-establish the illegal settlements of Homesh and Sa-Nur, both dismantled during the 2005 unilateral "disengagement plan" from the Gaza Strip. The settlements are to be built in the region "Israel" refers to as "Judea and Samaria," a biblical designation for the West Bank rejected by international bodies.
The initiative was jointly submitted by then-Security Minister Yoav Gallant and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, according to the report.
The re-establishment of Homesh and Sa-Nur represents a symbolic and strategic move by the Israeli government. Both sites were previously evacuated under a disengagement policy that saw "Israel" withdraw settlers from Gaza while retaining control over its airspace, maritime access, and borders.
