France condemns Israeli plan to build E1 settlement project in West Bank

France's foreign ministry has condemned Israel's plan to build 3,400 new settlement homes in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, calling it a serious violation of international law. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated the project's purpose is to "bury the idea of a Palestinian state" and is a step towards de facto sovereignty. The plan aims to connect the existing Maale Adumim settlement with occupied East Jerusalem. This development is criticized for undermining hopes of a contiguous future Palestinian state by fragmenting the West Bank and isolating Palestinian cities.