As a minister in the Netanyahu government wants to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state”: “Anyone, anywhere in the world, tries to recognize it will receive our answer on the ground”

The Israeli Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, a member of the radical right -wing, announced the beginning of the works at a long -delayed settlement, which would divide the Westordan and isolate it from East Jerusalem, a measure that his office said he would “bury” the idea of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian government, allies and civic organizations have condemned the project, stating that it is illegal and that the fragmentation of the territory would destroy any plan of peace supported internationally for the region, reports Reuters.

On Thursday on the site of the future settlement in Maale Adumim, Smotrich said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump agreed to resume the E1 development project, although there was no immediate confirmation from any of them.

“Anyone, anywhere in the world, is trying to recognize a Palestinian state today. It will receive our response on the ground. Not through documents, decisions or statements, but by facts. Acts in the form of houses, facts in the form of neighborhoods,” said Smtrich.

Israel froze the construction plans at Maalei we add in 2012 and again after their resumption in 2020, due to the objections expressed by the US, European allies and other powers, who considered the project a threat to any future peace agreement with Palestinians.

The measure risks isolating Israel further, in the context of some of its Western allies have condemned the military offensive in Gaza and announced that they will recognize a Palestinian state.

Palestinians are afraid that the extension of colonies in the Bookcake (which accelerated strongly after the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, followed by the Gaza war) will abduct any chance to build their own state in the area.

In a statement entitled “The burial of the idea of a Palestinian state”, Smotrich's spokesman announced that the minister has approved the construction plan of 3,401 housing for Israeli colonists, between an existing settlement in the Westordan and Jerusalem.

At Male Adumim, Smotrich told Reuters that the plan will enter into force on Wednesday.

The Israeli organization for human rights Breaking the Silence, founded by former Israeli soldiers, criticized Smotrich, accusing him of encouraging the extension of colonies in the West Bank while the world's attention is focused on the war in Gaza.

“This capture of land and the extension of the colonies will not only fragment the Palestinian territory, but will strengthen the apartheid,” the organization said.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman of the Palestinian President, asked the United States to execute Israel to stop the construction of colonies.

“The European Union rejects any territorial change that is not part of a political agreement between the parties involved. The annexation of the territory is illegal according to international law,” said Anitta Hipper spokesman, in a press briefing.

Qatar, who mediated between Hamas and Israel in an attempt to gain a cessation of fire in Gaza, condemned Smotrich's actions, qualifying them as “a flagrant violation of international law.”

Housing construction, “in a year”

The Peace Now organization, which monitors the activity of the colonies in the West Bank, said that a few steps are needed before the work starts. If all the procedures are performed, the infrastructure works could start in a few months, and the housing construction over about a year.

“Plan E1 is fatal to the future of Israel and for any chance to get a peaceful solution with two states. We are on the edge of the gap, and the government pushes us forward at maximum speed,” Peace Now said.

The Palestinians, already demoralized by the Israeli military campaign, after which over 61,000 people died in Gaza, according to local health authorities, are afraid that Israel will eventually force them to leave this territory.

About 700,000 Israeli colonists live among the 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel has annexed East Jerusalem, a decision not recognized by most states, but has not officially expanded its sovereignty on the Westordan.

The UN and most of the great powers claim that the extension of the colonies has undermined the viability of a solution with two states, by the fragmentation of the Palestinian territory. The two -state plan provides for the creation of a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the Westordania and Gaza, to exist with Israel.

Israel invokes historical and biblical links with the area and states that settlements offer strategic depth and security. Most of the international community considers all illegal colonies according to international law. Israel rejects this interpretation, arguing that the cyisordan is “disputed” and not “busy”.

The UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have imposed sanctions against Smotrich and another far-right minister, known for the support given to the extension of colonies, accusing them of both repeatedly incited violence against the Palestinians in the Westordan.