Israel is pushing ahead with controversial settlement construction in the E1 area

Israel's government is pushing ahead with settlement construction in the West Bank. Now the Ministry of Construction has published a tender for the construction of more than 1,200 residential units for a highly controversial housing project. Specifically, it is about the so-called E1 area between East Jerusalem and the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim. The area is considered one of the most sensitive points in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Development there would effectively split the West Bank into a northern and a southern part.

This would make the creation of a contiguous territory for a future Palestinian state more difficult or even impossible. That's why the construction plans have met with particularly strong international criticism. Under international pressure, Israel had repeatedly postponed its plans for E1 in the past.

Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom recently warned companies against participating in tenders for construction projects in the E1 area and thus in “serious violations of international law”.

According to the wishes of the right-wing government in Israel, around 3,400 residential units are to be built there. The tender for the construction of the first 1,234 residential units will run until October 19th - a good week later, on October 27th, a new parliament will be elected in Israel.

Two-state solution becomes almost impossible

The Israeli organization Peace Now said: "The government is trying to sign contracts with construction companies before the elections so that it will be much more difficult for the next government to stop construction." Building in the E1 area will make it impossible to end the Middle East conflict and achieve a peace settlement based on a two-state solution, the organization warned.

A two-state solution means that Israel and an independent Palestinian state coexist. The Israeli government rejects a two-state solution on the grounds that it endangers Israel's existence.