Israel has given final approval for a contentious settlement project in the occupied West Bank, which would effectively separate the territory into two parts. The project, known as E1, is located east of Jerusalem and has been under consideration for over 20 years. Palestinians and rights groups say it could undermine hopes for a future Palestinian state.
The international community views Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank as illegal and an obstacle to peace. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to maintain control over the occupied West Bank, annexed east Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip, territories Israel seized in 1967.
More than 700,000 Israelis live in settlements across the West Bank and east Jerusalem, with the E1 project aimed at cutting off the major cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem. The two cities are just 22 kilometers apart but face significant travel challenges due to Israeli checkpoints.
The approval has been met with criticism from organizations such as Peace Now, which says it will sabotage a political solution to the conflict. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has stated that a two-state solution is not a high priority for his administration, citing unanswered questions about its feasibility.
The settlement project includes 3,500 apartments and has sparked concerns among Israelis and Palestinians alike. While Israel could potentially dismantle the settlement in the future, it seems unlikely given strong support from the government and some opposition parties.
The approval marks another step in an increasingly dire reality for Palestinians in the West Bank, where attacks by settlers, evictions, and military operations are on the rise. The international community must now weigh its response to this development, which could further complicate efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/08/21/nx-s1-5509581/israel-west-bank-settlements