Controversial E1 Project Decision from the Jerusalem Court

Israeli non-governmental organizations "Ir Amim", "Bimkom" and "Peace Now" made a joint statement regarding the decision of the Jerusalem Central Court regarding the controversial "E1" project.

In the statement, it was stated that the application for an interim injunction to freeze the construction tender and stop the plans in the E1 region was rejected by the court.

It was noted that the application was rejected on the grounds that the case was still at an early stage and there was a long period of time between the opening of the tender and the start of actual implementation.

It undermines the two-state solution

NGOs criticizing the court's decision made the following statements in the statement, pointing to the upcoming elections in Israel:

"Proceeding with the E1 tender will not only deepen the annexation and eliminate the possibility of a political solution, but will also lead to severe consequences for thousands of Palestinians living in the region and pave the way for ethnic cleansing."

The government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved 104 new illegal settlements since taking office at the end of 2022, while 160 illegal settlements have been established in the occupied West Bank.

The international community warns that the project undermines the two-state solution, which envisions the establishment of a Palestinian State alongside Israel.

It is emphasized that if the project is implemented, the connection between the north and south of the West Bank will be severed and East Jerusalem will be completely isolated.

"E1 Project" that will expand the occupation in Palestine

The "E1 Project" was launched to connect the "Maale Adumim" Jewish settlement, built near Ayzeriye, a Palestinian neighborhood that was historically part of East Jerusalem but remained in the West Bank part of the Separation (Shame) Wall, to the road leading to West Jerusalem.

In this context, 12 thousand acres of Palestinian land were seized in 1999 to build more than 4 thousand illegal residences and hotels in the region.

The Israeli administration had frozen the "E1 Project", which was said to prevent the establishment of the State of Palestine, due to pressure from previous US administrations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the "E1 Project" in September 2025, which will effectively divide the occupied West Bank into two.

With the "E1 Project", Israel aims to cut the connection between occupied East Jerusalem and the Palestinian lands in the West Bank.

The Israeli government, in violation of its commitment regarding the "E1" Jewish settlement project, published the first tender announcement for 1234 houses without prior notice to the objecting parties.

Britain, Italy, France and Germany condemned Israel's E1 settlement plans in the West Bank, calling them "unacceptable".