Israel has reopened plans to build over 1,200 housing units in the contentious E1 area near Jerusalem, a move critics say undermines the two-state solution and coincides strategically with upcoming parliamentary elections.

The Israeli government has announced a construction tender for 1,234 housing units in the disputed E1 development zone east of Jerusalem, reigniting global concerns about its impact on the two-state solution. Critics argue the decision, unveiled without prior notice, is politically motivated as the tender deadline falls just days before Israel’s national elections. The E1 settlement has long drawn international opposition due to its potential to sever the West Bank, hindering the geographic continuity of a future Palestinian state.

The project, which has faced diplomatic pressure and legal obstacles for years, appears to have gained renewed momentum under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration. Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s finance and settlement minister, has openly called for accelerating E1’s construction, stating it would cement Israeli control over the area and eliminate prospects for Palestinian statehood. Despite persistent opposition, including petitions filed in Israel’s Supreme Court by human rights groups and affected Palestinians, the government proceeded with this initial phase of the settlement.

International leaders, including officials from Germany and other Western nations, have condemned the move. In May, 11 countries urged Israel to halt the project and warned private firms against participating in its implementation. The abrupt release of the tender for fewer than half the proposed 3,401 housing units surprised many, sparking concerns that the government may be attempting to sidestep legal and diplomatic challenges. Observers say the E1 plan’s progression could provoke fresh tensions in the region and prompt further international scrutiny.