E1, is a 4.5-square-mile (12-square-km) area of land in the West Bank, east of Jerusalem, that the Israeli government plans to develop as part of the Maʿale Adumim settlement and thereby connect one of its largest settlements to Jerusalem. Observers widely believe that construction on the site complicates the viability of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On August 19, 2025, Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and driven by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, with support from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, advanced the long-controversial E1 settlement plan, widely seen as fatal to the two-state solution.

The plan предусматривает 3,401 housing units in the E1 corridor between Ma’ale Adumim and Jerusalem, effectively cutting the West Bank in two and severing territorial continuity between Ramallah and Bethlehem, making a viable Palestinian state geographically impossible. An additional 3,515 units were announced in the nearby Tzippor Midbar area.

Although the project must still pass through Israel’s formal planning procedures, the government has accelerated implementation, approving major infrastructure investments, including a 335 million-shekel road project and water-infrastructure relocations by Mekorot. Smotrich has framed the initiative as part of a policy of “de facto sovereignty” over the West Bank.

Long opposed internationally and repeatedly stalled since the 1990s, the E1 plan has been revived amid the Gaza war, shifting geopolitical conditions, and a coalition openly committed to settlement expansion and annexation. Critics argue the move entrenches territorial fragmentation, forecloses future negotiations, and delivers a decisive blow to the possibility of Palestinian statehood.

E1 Settlement Project Timeline (West Bank)

1991:

The idea for development in E1 (East 1) — a strategic area east of Jerusalem between Ma’ale Adumim and Jerusalem — is first conceived during the government of Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir.

Mid-1990s:

The plan is discussed under Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin as part of settlement expansion strategies.

2003–2005:

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon advances E1 planning in the context of the broader peace process, but work is frozen in 2005 under pressure from the United States and objections from the Palestinian Authority.

2012:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revives the E1 plans in part as a response to the UN’s recognition of Palestine as a non-member state. However, strong international opposition (including from the US) leads to the plans being shelved again.

2020:

Netanyahu announces intentions to push ahead with the E1 project and publishes planning deposits for housing units — a first phase in the approval process — but progress remains limited.

2022:

The plan is reportedly postponed again, with US pressure cited as the reason, and objections remain unresolved.

Early 2025:

Under the wide-right coalition led by Netanyahu with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the government revives the E1 plan with increased political will.

August 14, 2025:

The Civil Administration’s Higher Planning Committee gives final approval to the controversial E1 settlement plan — about 3,400 housing units — between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim. Smotrich publicly frames the move as undermining the possibility of a Palestinian state.

August 15, 2025:

Germany officially urges Israel to halt the E1 settlement construction, warning it will divide the West Bank and violate international law.

August 21–22, 2025:

he United Nations calls on Israel to abandon the E1 project, warning it would cut the West Bank in two and undermine the two-state solution. The EU and 21 countries jointly condemn the plan.

September 12, 2025:

Prime Minister Netanyahu signs an agreement to expand the E1 settlement, reaffirming that the move reinforces Israeli control and stating “there will be no Palestinian state.”

December 10, 2025:

Israel’s Land Authority issues tenders for construction of 3,401 settler homes in the E1 area, marking the transition from planning to execution and signaling operational momentum.

January 7–13, 2026:

Sources report that construction of a bypass road (“sovereignty road”) and preparatory infrastructure work in E1 is set to begin; critics emphasize that this further cements facts on the ground and threatens the territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian state.

January 18, 2026:

The E1 project, after decades of planning, obstacles, and political debate, has final approval, issued tenders, accelerated preparatory steps, and soon-to-start construction — widely seen as drastically reducing the feasibility of a contiguous Palestinian state.