Far‑right Israeli minister endorses disputed West‑Bank settlement plan

Israeli Finance Minister Announces 3,400‑Home Development in Controversial West Bank Area Amid Western Calls for Palestinian State Recognition

Smotrich’s Plan and the E1 Settlement Context

• Target: 3,400 new houses on the roughly 12‑square‑kilometre E1 parcel east of Jerusalem, a region long desired by Israeli planners.
• Strategic Position: E1 lies between ancient Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement, cutting routes that connect the northern and southern West Bank.
• Barrier Expansion: Parallel, frozen proposals aim to extend Israel’s separation fence so the area becomes fully fenced.

Political Rhetoric and International Reactions

• Smotrich’s Announcement: Smotrich urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to enforce Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, abandon partition ideas, and ensure that by September “hypocritical European leaders will have nothing left to recognize.”
• Western Recognition Plans: Britain and France, among other European nations, announced intentions to recognize a Palestinian state later this year, hoping to preserve a two‑state solution.
• United Nations Response: UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres’ spokesman warned that proceeding with construction would sever the northern and southern West Bank and effectively terminate chances for a two‑state outcome.

Palestinian, European, and Other Critical Responses

• Palestinian Foreign Ministry: Denounced the E1 plan as “colonial construction” that undermines the possibility of a sovereign Palestinian state and demanded sanctions on the occupation.
• EU Stance: Chief diplomat Kaja Kallas described the proposal as a breach of international law and urged Israel to halt settlement activity.
• German Position: Strongly objected to the plan and called for a halt to further construction.
• Saudi Arabia: Condemned the move in the most forceful terms possible.

Peace Now NGO Assessment

• Critical View: Peace Now labeled the E1 plan “deadly for Israel’s future and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two‑state solution.”
• Approval Timeline: A technical committee under the defence ministry is slated to finalize approval next Wednesday.
• Construction Outlook: Post‑approval, infrastructure work could commence within a few months, with housing construction projected to start in about a year.

Current Demographics of the West Bank

Population: Approximately 3 million Palestinians reside in the West Bank, alongside around 500,000 Israeli settlers.