Israel Expands Settlements with Housing Plan
Israel has added plans for 2,167 new housing units to its controversial E1 settlement project in the West Bank, according to Israeli rights group Ir Amim. The new tender brings the total number of planned homes under the project to 3,401.
The new housing units are in addition to 1,234 units included in an earlier tender announced at the end of August. The E1 project has attracted strong criticism because of its location between Jerusalem and other parts of the West Bank.
Palestinian officials and rights groups say the project could divide the West Bank and make movement between Palestinian areas and East Jerusalem more difficult. They argue that this could affect the territorial continuity of a future Palestinian state.
A representative for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the latest development and said the settlement tenders violate international law. Israel disputes the international legal position on its settlements.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has supported the E1 project and has said it would prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Israeli government has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the latest tender.
The tender is scheduled to open for bidding on October 25, just two days before Israel’s parliamentary election. Israeli rights group Ir Amim said the timing indicates that the government is seeking to move the project forward before the election and create a situation that could become difficult to reverse.
The E1 project has also faced opposition from several Western countries and international advocacy groups. Britain, France and Canada recently announced measures restricting exports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Settlement construction in the West Bank has expanded under Israel’s current right-wing coalition government. The United Nations and many countries consider Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank to be contrary to international law, while Israel rejects that position.
The E1 development is therefore likely to remain a major point of disagreement between Israel and Palestinians. Critics say the project could affect future negotiations over borders and a Palestinian state, while Israeli officials supporting the project argue that it serves Israel’s interests and territorial policy.