The Higher Planning Committee of the Civil Administration under Israel's Ministry of Defense on the 20th approved a housing construction plan, widely criticized by the international community, to build 3,401 settlement housing units in the “E1 area” between Ma’ale Adumim settlement and Jerusalem's eastern and West Bank areas.
According to the plan, 342 additional housing units will also be constructed in the Asael settlement near the Palestinian city of Hebron in the West Bank.
The Israeli NGO Peace Now issued a statement on the 20th saying that this plan undermines prospects for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The expansion of Jewish settlements in the 'E1 area' has long been a source of concern for the international community. Such moves would split the West Bank into north and south regions and prevent the Palestinian areas of East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Ramallah from forming a contiguous territory.
The issue of Jewish settlements is one of the main obstacles in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Israel occupied parts of East Jerusalem and the West Bank in the Third Middle East War of 1967 and has constructed Jewish settlements there, which are strongly opposed by the Palestinian side. According to population reports released by the Israeli government at the end of last year, approximately 510,000 Israelis live in settlements built in violation of international law in the West Bank.
UN Secretary-General Condemns Settlement Housing Plan
On the 20th, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres's spokesperson Dujarric issued a statement saying that Guterres condemns Israel's decision to approve the construction of more than 3,400 settlement housing units in the “E1 area” of the West Bank.
The statement noted that Israel’s move violates international law and blatantly contravenes relevant United Nations resolutions. Guterres once again called on the Israeli government to immediately halt all settlement activities, fully fulfill its obligations under international law, and adhere to relevant United Nations resolutions and the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in July 2024.