On August 20, 2025, Israel's Higher Planning Committee granted final approval for the E1 settlement plan in the occupied West Bank, paving the way for the construction of approximately 3,400 housing units. This strategic development east of Jerusalem is widely seen as a move that will physically divide the West Bank, severing its connection to East Jerusalem and fragmenting Palestinian territory.
The E1 plan, originally proposed in the 1990s, has faced decades of international opposition, including pressure from the United States, which had previously led to its repeated freezes. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hailed the approval as a historic step, stating it would "erase the idea of a Palestinian state" through concrete actions. He further commented that "every settlement, every neighborhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea."
International reactions have been largely condemnatory. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed strong opposition, warning that the plan, if implemented, would "divide a future Palestinian state in two" and constitute a "flagrant breach of international law," urging the Israeli government to reconsider. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry denounced the move as part of a vision for a "Greater Israel," asserting it would entrench occupation and eliminate the viability of a Palestinian state.
The United Nations has consistently cautioned that the expansion of Israeli settlements, including the E1 project, poses a substantial threat to the feasibility of a two-state solution. In a July 2024 ruling, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of settlements.
The E1 area is critical as a vital geographical link between the West Bank cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem. The construction of settlements here would effectively bisect the West Bank, complicating Palestinian movement and development. Critics, such as the Israeli organization Peace Now, have described the E1 project as having "no purpose other than to sabotage a political solution" and warned that it guarantees "many more years of bloodshed." The plan's revival occurs amid increased international focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with some countries recently announcing intentions to recognize a Palestinian state.
With over 720,000 Israeli settlers residing in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas seized in the 1967 war, the E1 approval marks a significant development. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to ensure the possibility of a future Palestinian state remains viable.