Israel advances controversial E1 settlement plan, drawing international criticism

Israel's right-wing government is pushing forward with controversial plans to construct around 3,400 housing units in the E1 area, a move that international observers and organizations warn could make a contiguous Palestinian state virtually impossible. The project has faced strong international criticism and repeated delays in the past.

The current government aims to sign construction contracts before the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 27. The Israeli organization Peace Now stated that the government is attempting to finalize deals with construction companies before the vote, thereby complicating any future efforts to halt the building.

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The government is trying to sign contracts with construction companies before the elections so that it will be much more difficult for the next government to stop the construction.

International partners, including Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, have previously cautioned companies against participating in tenders for construction in the E1 territory, citing potential "severe violations of international law." The tender for the first 1,234 units is open until October 19.

Peace Now also warned that building in E1 would effectively end the possibility of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution, which envisions Israel and an independent Palestinian state coexisting. The Israeli government, however, rejects the two-state solution, citing existential security concerns.

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Building in E1 will make it impossible to end the Middle East conflict and achieve a peace settlement based on a two-state solution.