Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that he approved the new E1 settlement plan, Israeli media reported on Wednesday night. “The plan will bury the idea of a Palestinian state,” he was quoted as saying. Smotrich revealed that he would hold a press conference on Thursday, accompanied by Yesha Council Chairman Israel Ganz and Ma'aleh Adumim Mayor Guy Yifrach, to further present the plan, Ynet reported.
The plan calls for the construction of 3,401 new housing units in Ma'aleh Adumim, located in the West Bank.The organization Peace Now previously called the plan a "death blow to the two-state solution," because it calls for effectively splitting the West Bank into two parts. This would prevent the development of the metropolitan area between Ramallah, East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem.
Ynet added that, although Smotrich's announcement was made public, there has been no official confirmation regarding the approval of the plan. The Israeli publication noted that previous housing projects, which were heavily promoted at launch, have been delayed for years. However, Smotrich stated that this plan will move forward, since it is the 'final nail in the coffin' for the concept of a Palestinian state. (Read More)