Israel's new unlawful West Bank settlement plan further undermines two-state solution | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Israeli settlements in the West Bank (specifically E1)
• Two-state solution (Israeli-Palestinian conflict)
• International law and legality of settlements
• Palestinian statehood recognition
• Israeli government policy on settlements
• Impact of settlements on Palestinian state viability and economy
• International community's role and leverage
• Apartheid (allegation against Israeli policies)

1. Main Topics and Key Points:

• Settlement Expansion Announcement: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to construct over 3,000 new homes in the E1 area of the West Bank. This is presented as a direct response to international efforts to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.
• E1 Area Significance: The E1 area is strategically located, and its development would effectively bisect the West Bank, hindering the territorial contiguity required for a viable Palestinian state and cutting it off from East Jerusalem.
• Illegality Under International Law: All Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including the planned E1 expansion, are considered illegal under international law.
• Impact on Palestinian State: The construction in E1 would prevent the potential development of any Palestinian state, cutting the West Bank into two and disrupting the metropolis of Ramla, East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem.
• Israeli Government's Stance: The Israeli government, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, is seen as supporting the E1 expansion, with Smotrich taking the lead to appeal to his supporters while Netanyahu avoids international criticism.
• Uprooting Palestinians: Even before construction, Israel is working to uproot Palestinians living in the E1 area, with demolition orders already issued for structures in the area.
• International Community's Role: The international community, even without US support, has leverage to influence Israel by clearly stating that settlements are not legitimate and by avoiding support of settlements and trade with them.
• Apartheid Allegations: Annexing the West Bank and keeping Palestinians under military control without citizenship is described as apartheid.
• Israeli Public Opinion: The Israeli public is largely uninterested in the issue, allowing the government to proceed with its plans.
• Use of Force: Israel believes in the use of force to handle disputes, and it is directing its might towards millions of defenseless Palestinians.

2. Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed:

• Marley Adum Settlement: The specific settlement where the new construction is planned.
• 2005 Protests: Mention of past Palestinian protests and peace activist efforts to stop settlement enlargement.
• 2012 Freeze: Reference to a previous freeze on construction plans due to international objections.
• France, UK, and Canada: Mentioned as countries planning to recognize Palestinian statehood.
• US Support: The American administration is seen as favorable to settlements, with the Speaker of the Congress house visiting the settlements.

3. Step-by-Step Processes, Methodologies, or Frameworks Explained:

• Settlement Approval Process: The planning council is scheduled to approve the plan on Wednesday unless the government withdraws from it.
• Construction Timeline: Construction could begin within a year if authorities work quickly, although the normal pace would take about two years.

4. Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence:

• Hagit Offran (Peace Now): The E1 plan is designed to bury the idea of a Palestinian state and is a horrible thing for Israel, not only for the Palestinians. Building in E1 is destroying not only the Palestinian state but also the Palestinian economy. The only way to defeat Hamas is by building a Palestinian state.
• Aviv Tatarski (Amim organization): The E1 settlement will create a situation where roughly 100,000 Israeli settlers leave from the green line all the way to maybe 14 15 kilometers beyond the green line. It breaks up the West Bank into a northern part and the southern part. The whole Israeli government is behind this move. Annexing the West Bank and keeping Palestinians under military control without citizenship means apartheid.

5. Notable Quotes or Significant Statements with Proper Attribution:

• Bezalel Smotrich: "Anyone who tries today in the world to recognize a Palestinian state will receive an answer from us on the ground. Not in documents, not in decisions or declarations, but in facts. in the facts of houses, in the facts of neighborhoods, roads, and more and more Jewish families building lives."
• Hagit Offran: "This plan is in the heart of the West Bank. Um practically uh preventing the potential development of any Palestinian uh state. It cuts the West Bank into two to south and north and it's in the heart of the metropolis of uh the Palestinian state which is from Ramla, East Jerusalem and Bethlehem where they are supposed to be development."
• Aviv Tatarski: "Any settlement is illegal and it makes things worse. But the E1 settlement is located deep in the heart of the West Bank and in the area of Jerusalem."

6. Technical Terms, Concepts, or Specialized Vocabulary with Brief Explanations:

• E1 Area: A strategically important area in the West Bank between Jerusalem and the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim.
• West Bank: A landlocked territory near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia, claimed by the State of Palestine.
• Settlements: Israeli civilian communities built on land occupied by Israel in the West Bank and considered illegal under international law.
• Two-State Solution: A proposed framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by establishing two independent states, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians.
• Green Line: The demarcation line set out in the 1949 Armistice Agreements between Israel and its neighbors (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) after the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
• Apartheid: A system of segregation and discrimination on grounds of race.

7. Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas:

• The announcement of settlement expansion is directly linked to the international community's plans to recognize a Palestinian state.
• The E1 area's strategic location is explained in relation to its impact on the viability of a future Palestinian state.
• The Israeli government's support for the expansion is connected to both domestic political considerations and a broader strategy of preventing Palestinian statehood.
• The potential consequences of the expansion are linked to the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of the international community.

8. Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned:

• Over 3,000 new homes are planned for the E1 area.
• The E1 area would effectively split the West Bank in two.
• Roughly 100,000 Israeli settlers leave from the green line all the way to maybe 14 15 kilometers beyond the green line.
• Several thousand Palestinians live in small communities in E1.
• 20 demolition orders have already been issued for structures in the E1 area.

9. Clear Section Headings for Different Topics if Multiple Areas are Covered:

• Not applicable, the entire text is about one main topic.

10. A brief synthesis/conclusion of the main takeaways:

The planned Israeli settlement expansion in the E1 area of the West Bank represents a significant obstacle to the two-state solution and is viewed as a deliberate attempt to prevent the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. The move is controversial, illegal under international law, and faces opposition from Palestinians and some members of the international community. The Israeli government is seen as united in its support for the expansion, despite potential international repercussions. The future of the peace process and the possibility of a Palestinian state are now even more uncertain.