• Israel finalizes the E1 settlement plan allowing construction of 3,400 homes, deemed illegal by the international community.
• The project is set to divide the West Bank, isolating East Jerusalem and severing connections between Palestinian cities.
• 21 countries, including the UK and France, have condemned the approval, viewing it as a violation of international law.
• Israeli officials claim the plan counters recent international moves to recognize a Palestinian state.
• Human rights groups emphasize that the settlement expansion further eliminates the feasibility of a two-state solution.

Israel has approved the controversial E1 settlement project, which aims to construct over 3,400 housing units in the occupied West Bank, a move seen as a significant step toward dividing Palestinian territories and undermining efforts for a future Palestinian state. The project, located between East Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim, has been stalled for over two decades but gained traction under the country's current far-right leadership, according to aa and indiatimes.

The Higher Planning Committee of Israel's Defense Ministry recently gave final approval, which critics argue will effectively sever Palestinian geographic continuity by bisecting the West Bank. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who championed the approval, stated, “The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not with slogans but with actions.” His remarks reflect a broader commitment from the Israeli government to maintain control over contested territories and hinder Palestinian sovereignty, as highlighted by sources such as Channel News Asia and TRT World.

Following the announcement, a coalition of 21 countries, along with the EU, condemned the E1 project as "unacceptable" and a “flagrant breach of international law.” The joint statement described the construction plans as detrimental to the viability of a two-state solution. Countries including the UK, Australia, and Canada emphasized that this move would further complicate any potential peace efforts in a region already fraught with geopolitical tensions, according to aa and Africanews.

Palestinian authorities and human rights organizations warn that the E1 plan could lead to increased displacement and further entrenchment of Israeli settlements, effectively reducing the territory available for any future Palestinian state. The International Court of Justice and UN officials have reiterated that all Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, echoing sentiments expressed by BBC and Le Monde.

The approval of such a settlement is characterized by critics as not merely a construction project but a definitive step in the ongoing annexation of Palestinian land, with profound implications for the future of peace in the region. As the international community reacts, tensions rise, highlighting a consistent pattern of Israeli defiance against global calls for restraint, as noted by Los Angeles Times and TRT World.