Israel's Smotrich Embarks on Settlement Plan to ‘Bury' Idea of Palestinian State
During his visit to Maale Adumim, Smotrich revealed that both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the E1 scheme, a long-delayed settlement.
'Whoever in the world is trying to recognize a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighborhoods,' Smotrich said.
In 2012, Israel halted construction plans in Maale Adumim and froze their revival again in 2020 due to opposition from the US, European allies, and other international powers who saw the project as a threat for a future peace agreement with the Palestinians.
However, Smotrich's spokesperson said the minister officially approved the plan to build 3,401 houses for Israeli settlers between an existing settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Smotrich told Reuters that the plan would take effect on Wednesday, though he did not mention what measures would be exactly implemented on that day. Palestinian & Arab Reactions
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the plan, labeling it as an extension of what it called crimes of genocide, displacement, and annexation. Meanwhile, Israel has repeatedly dismissed such accusations, justifying that its actions are based on self-defense measures.
Hamas considered the plan as part of Israel's 'colonial, extremist' policies and urged Palestinians to confront it.
Moreover, Jordan's Foreign Ministry denounced the move as a flagrant violation of international law. Building Jewish State
In May, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel planned to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the occupied West Bank, according to Al-Arabiya.
Katz's remarks follow Israel's announcement of the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank.
'This is a decisive response to the terrorist organizations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land,' Katz said.
Katz also noted that the new settlements would be a clear message to French President Emmanuel Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper – but Israel will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground.
Related Topics:
Gazan University Professor Recounts War's Heartbreak, Hunger
Israel Pledges to Revive Evacuated West Bank Settlement
Knesset Passes 'Symbolic' Motion to Annex West Bank
Short link :
Post Views: 12
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
3 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Palestinians bury teen killed by Israeli army near Ramallah
Dozens of residents of a village in the occupied West Bank on Sunday laid to rest a teen killed by Israeli army fire the previous day, according to Palestinian authorities. Mourners carried the body of Palestinian Hamdan Abu Aliya, his head wrapped in a traditional keffiyeh scarf, through the streets of al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah, and chanted nationalist slogans. 'With our souls and our blood, we will redeem you, martyr,' they said during the procession for the 18-year-old, waving Palestinian flags and banners of the Fatah and Hamas movements. Late Saturday, the Palestinian health ministry announced the 'martyrdom of Hamdan Musa Muhammad Abu Aliya ... by (Israeli) occupation forces in the town of al-Mughayyir.' In response to an inquiry by AFP, the Israeli army said 'terrorists' threw stones and Molotov cocktails at its troops during a security operation in the area, and soldiers 'responded with fire.' When the body of Abu Aliya arrived at the family home for a final farewell, his father Musa Abu Aliya said he had a message for the world: 'Enough betrayal, enough humiliation, enough insult.' 'No matter how many they kill, time is on our side. It is impossible for us to give up our land,' the father added. Violence has escalated in the West Bank since the war broke out in the Gaza Strip following Hamas' unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, at least 971 Palestinians, including militants, have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers, according to figures from the Palestinian health ministry. During the same period, at least 36 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations, according to official Israeli figures.
Leaders
4 hours ago
- Leaders
British Punk Duo Bob Vylan Speaks against Israel's Actions in Gaza
The punk-rap duo Bob Vylan made headlines around the world last month when they publicly expressed their solidarity with Palestine and criticized Israel's conduct of war in Gaza. At Glastonbury Festival in June, frontman rapper, Bobby Vylan, led chants of 'Free, Free Palestine' and 'Death, Death to the IDF (Israeli military).' Moreover, Bobby Vylan made a strong statement in support for Palestine, saying 'From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, and will be, free.' The incident triggered controversy across the world, drawing both criticism and support amid growing outrage over Israel's actions in Gaza. The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, called the chant 'appalling,' while the British police investigated the incident. Moreover, the band has been dropped from several shows, including France and Germany, and had their US visas revoked. Many people across the UK interpreted the chant as a call for the death of Israeli soldiers. However, Bobby Vylan explained in an Instagram post that he was not calling 'for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people.' 'We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use 'unnecessary lethal force' against innocent civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza,' the British singer clarified. Short link : Post Views: 37
Leaders
4 hours ago
- Leaders
In Photos: Protests Sweep Israel Calling for Gaza War End, Hostage Deal
Demonstrators on Sunday flooded the streets of Israel, demanding an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages held by militants. This wave of protests coincides with the Israeli military's preparations for a new offensive in the region. Demonstrators take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. The protests follow a decision by Israel's security cabinet to capture Gaza City, marking a significant escalation after 22 months of conflict. The war began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, resulting in the abduction of 251 individuals. Currently, 49 hostages remain in Gaza, with the Israeli military reporting that 27 of them are deceased. Demonstrators take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. In Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, a massive Israeli flag adorned with portraits of the remaining captives was displayed prominently in the location that has served as a central hub for protests throughout the conflict. Demonstrators also blocked major roads, including the highway linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with Eyewitness accounts and local media footage showing protesters setting tires ablaze, creating significant traffic disruptions. People sit on the ground and cover their heads as a siren sounds a warning of incoming missile fired from Yemen during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Calls for Action Protest organizers, along with the primary campaign group representing hostage families, called for a general strike on Sunday. Doron Wilfand, a 54-year-old tour guide, voiced his sentiments at a rally in Jerusalem, stating, 'I think it's time to end the war. It's time to release all of the hostages. And it's time to help Israel recover and move towards a more stable Middle East.' Demonstrators block a road during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. However, some government officials opposed the demonstrations. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the protests, labeling them 'a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas.' He argued that public pressure for a deal undermines the safety of the hostages and threatens Israel's security. Footage from APTFV captured protesters rallying in Beeri, a kibbutz near the Gaza border that suffered greatly during the Hamas attack, with reports indicating that protests occurred in various locations across the country. Israel's plans to intensify military action in Gaza City and surrounding refugee camps have drawn international condemnation and domestic dissent. Demonstrators block a road during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza UN-backed experts have raised alarms about a looming famine in Gaza, where Israel has significantly restricted humanitarian aid. According to Gaza's civil defense agency, Israeli troops killed at least 13 Palestinians on Saturday while they waited for food aid near distribution sites. Since the conflict began in October 2023, Israeli military actions have resulted in over 61,897 Palestinian deaths, predominantly among civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which the United Nations considers credible. Demonstrators partially block a road during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. As protests continue to grow across Israel, the call for peace and the release of hostages remains urgent. The situation in Gaza escalates, prompting both local and international communities to seek solutions to this ongoing humanitarian crisis. Short link : Post Views: 16
