Netanyahu Advances West Bank Settlement Expansion,Effectively Precluding Palestinian State
His Excellency Adumim,West Bank – September 11,2025 - Prime Minister benjamin Netanyahu today signed the E1 plan,authorizing infrastructure work and future housing construction in a strategically sensitive area of the West Bank. The move, occurring amidst calls from right-wing ministers to annex portions or all of the West Bank in response to anticipated recognition of a Palestinian state by Western nations, is widely interpreted as a decisive step against the possibility of a two-state solution.
The E1 area, located east of Jerusalem, is crucial because its progress would sever the contiguity between East jerusalem and the northern West Bank, effectively bisecting Palestinian territory. This action follows recent announcements by the United Kingdom and France indicating their intention to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations later this month. Netanyahu,speaking at a ceremony in His excellency Adumim,stated,”Sir,the Prime Minister,we will thank you all soon,congratulate you and celebrate together the submission of sovereignty throughout Juda and Samaria.”
The Israeli non-governmental organization “Salam,” which monitors settlement activity,projects infrastructure work in E1 could begin within months,with housing construction following within a year. The organization has labeled the E1 plan “risky for the future of Israel and at any opportunity to achieve a peaceful two-state solution.”
Approximately three million Palestinians reside in the West Bank, alongside roughly 500,000 Israeli settlers. The expansion of settlements in the West Bank is considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. The E1 plan has long been a point of contention, with successive Israeli governments delaying its implementation due to international pressure.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was present at the signing ceremony. Sam Sokol contributed to this report.
