O.Próximo.- AMP.- Israel approves a settlement plan in the West Bank "that erases the deception" of the Palestinian State.

The Palestinian Authority denounces a new violation of international law

MADRID, 20 (EUROPA PRESS)

The Israeli Defense Ministry on Wednesday gave final approval to a controversial West Bank settlement plan—which calls for the construction of 3,400 homes and the separation of East Jerusalem—which virtually eliminates the "deception" of the two-state solution, in the words of one of its proponents, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

"The Palestinian state is being wiped off the table not with slogans, but with actions. Every settlement, every neighborhood, every home is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea," celebrated Smotrich, who is part of one of the most reactionary sectors of an already far-right Israeli government.

This controversial urban development plan covers approximately twelve square kilometers—known as Zone E1—and connects East Jerusalem with the Maale Adumim settlement. The plan is to double its population with up to 35,000 new residents in the coming years through the expansion of the Tzipor Midbar neighborhood.

Its construction would divide the West Bank in two, one in the north and one in the south, making the creation of a connected Palestinian state nearly impossible, as Smotrich himself celebrated a week ago when he presented the plan, now approved by a committee under the Ministry of Defense.

This is, Smotrich insisted, "a significant step that virtually erases the two-state deception and consolidates the Jewish people's control over the heart of the land of Israel," The Times of Israel reported.

The idea that this plan seriously threatens the future viability of a Palestinian state is shared by organizations such as Peace Now, which have been campaigning against Israeli settlement expansion.

"Under the pretext of war, Smotrich and his minority of messianic friends are establishing a delusional settlement that we will have to evacuate in any agreement," the organization denounced, insisting that the only way to live safely in Israel "is within the framework of two states."

Amidst all this, several other countries, including France, Canada, and Australia, announced their almost unanimous recognition of the Palestinian state at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

CONDEMNATION BY THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

For its part, the Palestinian Presidency has denounced this latest move by the Israeli "occupation authorities" as a violation of international law, which prohibits such practices, and also "defies" all countries around the world that have condemned and warned Israel not to move forward with these plans.

"All settlements are illegal, whether in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, or East Jerusalem," concluded presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina, who pointed to Benjamin Netanyahu's government as responsible for any consequences that may arise from "these dangerous policies."

Rudeina called on the United States to "intervene immediately" and halt this and other hostile Israeli actions, which are sure to trigger an "explosion throughout the region."