Israel's Smotrich to approve E1 settlement plan that 'buries Palestinian state'

Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, announced he will approve the highly controversial E1 settlement project. The plan involves building over 3,000 housing units for Israeli settlers to connect the Maale Adumim settlement in the occupied West Bank with occupied East Jerusalem. Smotrich stated the approval effectively "buries the idea of a Palestinian state" and is part of a de facto sovereignty plan. This announcement is seen as a direct response to several countries, including France and Britain, signaling their intent to recognize a Palestinian state.