Israel Revives Controversial E1 Settlement Plan—Impact on Palestinians

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has greenlit a long-freeze proposal to build over 3,400 homes in the E1 zone, wedged between East Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement in the occupied West Bank, foreign media reported on Thursday.

- TDG NETWORK

Smotrich asserted that the move will "bury the idea of a Palestinian state," adding that those planning to recognize one "will receive an answer from us on the ground," according to a report published by The Associated Press.

While the final approval from Israel's High Planning Council remains pending, Smotrich indicated that infrastructure work could start in a few months' time with the landmark construction expected to begin within a span of one year.

While Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is yet to issue a statement in this regard, the international backlash has already appears to be in effect.

PEACE ADVOCATES SOUND ALARM