Israel advances controversial E1 project, threatening Palestinian state plans
The announcement comes as several countries, including Australia, Britain, France and Canada, prepare to formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.Development in E1 had been frozen for years due to US pressure, but Smotrich praised President Donald Trump and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee as 'true friends of Israel as we have never had before.' The plan cleared a major hurdle on August 6 when Israel's planning committee rejected petitions to halt the project.Palestinian officials condemned the move as 'colonial, expansionist, and racist,' with political adviser Ahmed Al-Deek warning it would fragment the West Bank and 'undermine any possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.' Rights group Peace Now called the plan 'deadly for the future of Israel and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two-state solution.'The E1 settlement is expected to get final approval on August 20. If the remaining bureaucratic steps proceed quickly, infrastructure work could begin within months, with housing construction starting in about a year.- EndsWith inputs from Associated PressTune InMust Watch
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Indian Express
16 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Sexual violence in conflicts worldwide increased by 25% last year, UN says
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Time of India
39 minutes ago
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Muslim & NATO Nations BOIL Over Netanyahu Minister's Israel Dare: 'If You Recognise Palestine...'
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The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
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