Israel Approves 3,000 New Housing Units in Disputed West Bank Settlement

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Jerusalem — Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has approved tenders for 3,000 housing units in the controversial E1 settlement zone between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim. The minister declared the move as one that “buries the idea of a Palestinian state” and strengthens Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.

The E1 project has been on hold for decades due to strong international opposition, with the United Nations, European Union, and other global powers warning that the expansion could split the West Bank into northern and southern sections, making a contiguous Palestinian state nearly impossible.

According to the Israeli advocacy group Peace Now, the construction will represent a 33% increase in Ma’ale Adumim’s housing stock, linking its current built-up areas with the eastern industrial zone. The NGO noted that this plan differs from the original E1 master blueprint, focusing instead on a new neighborhood within Ma’ale Adumim’s jurisdiction.

International analysts caution that such development could block Palestinian urban growth between East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Ramallah — a core part of Palestinian statehood plans.

Settler leaders welcomed the announcement. Israel Gantz, head of the Yesha Council, called it “a great and historic achievement for the settlement movement.” Guy Yifrach, mayor of Ma’ale Adumim, said the move would counteract ““illegal Palestinian construction” in the area.”

Earlier this year, Israel approved a “fabric of life” road near Jerusalem to separate Israeli and Palestinian traffic — a move critics argue deepens Israel’s presence beyond the 1967 Green Line.

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