Smotrich reportedly set to announce controversial E1 settlement plan for West Bank

Israel’s far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has said he will approve plans to build more than 3,000 homes in the controversial E1 West Bank settlement zone in order to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”

In comments reported by Israeli channel i24News that sparked immediate criticism, Smotrich said:”After decades of international pressure and freezes, we are breaking conventions and connecting Maale Adumim to Jerusalem.

“This is Zionism at its best – building, settling and strengthening our sovereignty in the Land of Israel.”

Reports in Israel said Smotrich is expected announce the plan at a news conference with settler organisation Yesha Council Chairman Israel Ganz and Ma’ale Adumim Mayor Guy Yifrach on Thursday

If the proposal goes ahead it would effectively cut off the West Bank from occupied East Jerusalem, making a continuous Palestinian designated state even harder to realise.

Anti-settlement group Peace Now were among those to condemn the plan saying:”The Netanyahu government is exploiting every minute to deepen the annexation of the West Bank and prevent the possibility of a two-state solution.

“It is clear to everyone today that the only solution to the conflict, and the only way to defeat Hamas, is through the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

“The Government of Israel is condemning us to continued bloodshed, instead of working to end it.”

The construction of 3,401 housing units in the E1 area has been frozen for decades with as claims that if completed it would effectively block the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The UK sanctioned Smotrich, and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities” in the occupied West Bank.

Following the October 7th Hamas terror attacks, Israel has justified clampdowns within the West Bank by stressing the need for tough security measures to prevent further incidents there.