Jordan condemns Israeli minister's approval of E1 settlement plan
In a statement on Thursday, the ministry denounced Smotrich's endorsement of the plan, as well as his recent remarks rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, labeling them as "racist and extremist."
The ministry also reiterated that such actions undermine the rights of the Palestinian people to an independent, sovereign state along the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and emphasised that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territories.
Smotrich has said he will approve plans to build more than 3,000 homes in a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank, saying the move 'buries the idea of a Palestinian state'.
The ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah voiced the Kingdom's "categorical rejection" of the settlement plan and all other unilateral Israeli measures, saying that the move constitutes a "blatant breach" of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334, which deems Israeli settlement activity in occupied territory illegal.
Qudah also cited the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which calls for an end to the Israeli occupation and affirms the illegality of annexing Palestinian land.
He warned that the Israeli government's continued expansionist policies in the occupied West Bank risk further fueling cycles of violence and instability in the region.
The spokesperson urged the international community to shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities by pressuring Israel to halt its escalation in Gaza and the West Bank, protect Palestinian civilians, and support their legitimate right to statehood. He also called for accountability for ongoing violations against the Palestinian people.
The so-called E1 project between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim settlement has been frozen for decades amid international opposition. According to Palestinian media, building the settlement would cut off the West Bank from occupied East Jerusalem.
Settlements are considered illegal under international law.
Smotrich, who is also a minister in Israel's ministry of defence, and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, were sanctioned by the UK over "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities" in the occupied West Bank.
The UK has sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers over "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities" in the occupied West Bank.
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