Middle East: West Bank: Netanyahu drives controversial blueprints

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signed an agreement on the implementation of controversial blueprints for settlements in the West Bank. It is about the construction of around 3,400 residential units in the so-called E1 area between East Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement. Because of its geographical location, the area plays an important role in the conflict with the Palestinians.

“There will be no Palestinian state. This place belongs to us,” said Netanyahu when signing the agreement in the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim in the West Bank.

An Israeli planning committee had approved the construction plans for the E1 area last month. The area is one of the most sensitive points in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. A development there would actually split the West Bank into a northern and a southern part. This would make it difficult or even impossible to create a coherent territory for a future Palestinian state. That is why blueprints have a particularly strong criticism internationally. Under international pressure, Israel had repeatedly postponed the plans for E1 in the past.

The two -state solution is the only solution that Israel’s future can secure, said the Israeli organization Peace Now. The construction plans would block this solution. “The pompous signing ceremony is a conscious provocation for all moderate Palestinians who still believe in a peaceful solution to the conflict,” said the organization. The ceremony is a sign that Israel has no interest in peace.

The Israeli government rejects a two -state solution on the grounds, this threatens Israel’s existence. A two -state solution means that Israel and an independent Palestinian state exist side by side.

Right -wing extremist ministers within the Israeli government are very settler -friendly and want Israel to incorporate the West Bank. Netanyahu’s political survival depends on these hardliners.