Israel is poised to escalate its actions against Palestinians with a new initiative called “Burying the Idea of a Palestinian State.” This plan includes the construction of a settlement intended to separate East Jerusalem from the occupied West Bank, as well as the introduction of one million Israeli settlers into the West Bank.
Late last night, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich approved plans for the settlement, which his office claimed would eliminate any prospect of a Palestinian state.
This morning, Smotrich announced, “We will bring one million settlers to the West Bank.” He further stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports the expansion of settlements and the assertion of sovereignty over the West Bank.
It remains uncertain whether Prime Minister Netanyahu has endorsed the revival of the long-stalled E1 plan, which Palestinians and various global powers claim would divide the West Bank into two parts and is likely to provoke international outrage.
In a statement titled “Burying the Idea of a Palestinian State,” Smotrich’s spokesperson revealed the plan involves constructing 3,401 homes for Israeli settlers between an existing settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Israel has halted construction plans in this area since 2012 due to objections from the United States, European allies, and other global powers that viewed the project as a threat to any future peace agreement with the Palestinians.