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ARCHIVE - Israel's far-right Finance Minister Smotrich wants to press ahead with settlement construction in the West Bank. Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP/dpa
Keystone
An Israeli planning committee has approved construction plans for settlements in a particularly sensitive area in the West Bank. This was announced by the Israeli organization Peace Now, which had a representative on site.
The plans involve the construction of around 3,400 residential units in the so-called E1 area between East Jerusalem and the settlement of Maale Adumim. Due to its geographical location, the area is considered sensitive in the conflict with the Palestinians.
Building there would effectively divide the West Bank into a northern and a southern part. This would make it difficult, if not impossible, to create a contiguous territory for a future Palestinian state.
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced such plans just under a week ago. This step "definitively buries the idea of a Palestinian state", he said on the spot. Several states, including France, Canada and Australia, want to recognize a Palestinian state next month. Israel, on the other hand, rejects recognition as a "reward for Hamas" after the massacre on October 7, 2023.
20.08.2025, 11:55
