Israel Quietly Advances Massive West Bank Settlement, Tender Shows

Israel has taken a major step toward building a large new settlement in the occupied West Bank. A government agency posted a construction tender for 3,401 housing units. The project is known as "E1." It is located east of Jerusalem. International law considers all Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal. Plans for E1 have existed for decades but were often delayed due to international pressure. Critics say building there would physically separate the northern and southern parts of the West Bank. It would also further isolate East Jerusalem from the rest of the territory. Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. Opponents of E1 argue its goal is to make a connected Palestinian state impossible. The Israel Land Authority posted the tender in mid-December. The move advances a project that many governments have warned would severely damage the possibility of a two-state solution.