US EditionIsraeli Far-Right Minister Backs Contentious West Bank Settlement Plan
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich supports settlement construction to assert Israeli sovereignty and counter international recognition of a Palestinian state, with infrastructure work expected soon.
- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans on August 14, 2025, to build 3,401 homes in the West Bank near Maale Adumim, reviving the long-delayed E1 settlement project.
- The announcement followed moves by several countries, including Australia and European states, to recognize a Palestinian state, prompting Smotrich to promise a concrete response on the ground rather than through statements.
- The E1 plan covers about 12 square kilometers, aims to divide the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem, and critics warn it would break up Palestinian territory and end prospects for a two-state solution.
- UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric and the EU’s Kaja Kallas condemned the plan as illegal and urged Israel to desist, while Israeli NGOs and the Palestinian foreign ministry called for international intervention and sanctions.
- The plan implies annexation calls by Smotrich, risks increased international isolation for Israel, escalates tensions after the 2023 Hamas attacks, and could further diminish chances for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
49 Articles
49 Articles
Malay Mail
AlKhaleej TodayIsraeli minister backs plan for 3,400 homes in disputed occupied West Bank area despite global warnings
JERUSALEM, Aug 15 — Israel’s finance minister on Thursday backed plans to build 3,400 homes in a particularly contentious area of the occupied West Bank, calling for the territory’s annexation in response to several countries’ plans to recognise a Palestinian state.In response, the United Nations chief warned that building Israeli homes in the area would “put an end to” hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.Israel ha…
InsideNoVA.com
Israeli far-right minister backs contentious West Bank settlement plan
Israel's finance minister backed plans on Thursday to build 3,400 homes in a particularly contentious area of the occupied West Bank, calling for the territory's annexation in response to several countries' plans to recognise a Palestinian state.
Far-right Ben-Gvir, West Bank police chief visit illegal outpost with far-right activist
The visit to the illegal Ma'aleh Tidhar outpost included a meeting with far-right activist Elisha Yered, who was suspected of involvement in the killing of a Palestinian teen, underscoring declining enforcement against nationalist crime and settler construction
Israeli Far-right Minister Backs Contentious West Bank Settlement Plan
MAALE ADUMIM, West Bank/TEL AVIV — Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that work would start on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, a move his office said would "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian government, allies and campaign groups condemned the scheme, calling it illegal...
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