Smotrich moves ahead on West Bank settlement near Maale Adumim, drawing international concern
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a leading figure in the ultra-nationalist wing of the ruling coalition, announced that work would begin on a long-delayed West Bank settlement project aimed at splitting the territory and severing it from East Jerusalem. His office described the move as a step that would “bury” the idea of a Palestinian state.
The plan envisions building 3,401 new homes for Israeli settlers in a corridor between the existing Maale Adumim settlement and Jerusalem. Smotrich, who spoke at the site, claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump had given their blessing to revive the E1 development, though there has been no formal confirmation from either leader.
“Whoever in the world is trying to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighbourhoods,” Smotrich said.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson noted that a stable West Bank aligns with the current administration’s pursuit of regional peace and signaled that Washington’s focus remains on ending the war in Gaza, directing reporters to Israel for further details. The United Nations urged Israel to reverse the settlement decision, warning that it would devastate prospects for a two-state solution, stating that settlements violate international law and deepen occupation.
Historically, Israel froze construction in Maale Adumim in 2012 and again in 2020, amid opposition from the United States, European partners and other powers who viewed the project as a threat to any viable peace deal with the Palestinians. Restarting the work could further isolate Israel as Western allies grapple with condemnations of its Gaza offensive and as some hint at recognizing a Palestinian state.
Palestinians fear that accelerating settlement activity in the West Bank—especially in areas that would connect to East Jerusalem—would erase the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state. The plan was announced after a sharp uptick in settlement activity in recent years, a trend that has drawn fierce criticism from rights groups and international actors.
Smotrich’s spokesperson framed the move as a direct challenge to any future Palestinian state, releasing a statement that the minister had approved the plan to build 3,401 homes between Maale Adumim and Jerusalem. Smotrich, who has long argued for Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, appeared at the Maale Adumim site to confirm the plan would go into effect on Wednesday.
Rights groups and Palestinian officials were swift to condemn the development. Breaking the Silence, a rights group founded by former Israeli soldiers, described the action as a land grab that would fragment Palestinian territory and deepen apartheid. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s spokesperson urged the United States to pressure Israel to halt settlement construction. The European Union reiterated that any territorial changes outside a bilateral agreement are unacceptable and illegal under international law, while British Foreign Minister David Lammy said the plan must be stopped, describing it as a flagrant breach of international law that would divide a future Palestinian state.
Context from related developments shows settlement activity has surged in recent months, with reports of broader approvals and formalization of outposts in the West Bank. In the broader discourse surrounding the conflict, these moves come as many international partners question Israel’s tactics in Gaza and weigh their diplomatic options in response to ongoing violence and humanitarian crises.
What this means moving forward is uncertain. The international community remains wary of actions that could derail peace negotiations, even as some Israeli authorities defend settlement expansion as essential for security. The renewal of the E1 plan could complicate any future diplomacy and intensify pressure on Israel from European and allied partners.
In a broader view, some observers point to a need for renewed dialogue and international mediation to avert a further breakdown of peace prospects. There remains a sense among some analysts that a pathway to de-escalation and renewed negotiations is possible if diplomatic efforts are intensified and humanitarian concerns are prioritized.
Overview and takeaways:
– Smotrich announces the start of a 3,401-home settlement project between Maale Adumim and Jerusalem.
– The move is presented as erasing the prospect of a Palestinian state by creating a contiguous Israeli-ruled corridor.
– The plan draws condemnation from the UN, EU, UK, Palestinian officials, and rights groups, while the U.S. emphasizes regional stability and Gaza diplomacy.
– The development fits a broader pattern of settlement activity reported in related pieces, highlighting the ongoing friction between Israeli policy and international peace efforts.
– While tensions rise, there remains cautious optimism among some observers that renewed international engagement could still steer the region toward a negotiated settlement and humanitarian relief, if diplomacy gains traction and both sides commit to credible negotiations.
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