Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the nationalist and religious far right, made no secret of his satisfaction − or his intentions − as he announced on Thursday, August 14, the approval of a strategic Jewish settlement project East of Jerusalem, in the West Bank. The project, he claims, will "bury the idea of a Palestinian state."

The territory has been illegally occupied by Israel since 1967. The consequences of this announcement, if carried out, would be dramatic: With this settlement of 3,000 housing units, known by the code name E1 and located in the city of Ma'ale Adumim, the already fragmented West Bank would be split in two, making the creation of a viable Palestinian state almost impossible.

"These are illegal decisions and proposals and we hope that the world community will never allow Israel to force its laws on the Palestinian land," responded the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli NGO Peace Now condemned the plan, calling it "deadly for the future of Israel and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two-state solution." The announcement sparked outrage among Arab countries.

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