Jerusalem: Israeli authorities have issued a tender for the construction of 3,401 settlement units in the E1 area east of Jerusalem, according to the head of the Commission against the Wall and Settlements, Minister Mu'ayyad Sha'ban. This development marks a significant move from planning to implementation, with implications for Palestinian lands.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, this tender is part of a broader plan, the E1 project, which was approved in August 2025 after being delayed for nearly 30 years due to international pressure. The project aims to separate Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings and integrate it with the Ma'ale Adumim settlement, impacting the feasibility of a contiguous Palestinian state.
Sha'ban highlighted that 2025 saw a sharp increase in settlement tenders, totaling 10,098 new units. The Ma'ale Adumim settlement received over 7,000 units, while other settlements such as Efrat and Ariel were also part of the expansion strategy. This systematic expansion signifies a deeper entrenchment of Israeli control over Palestinian territories.
