E1 Development Would Be ‘The Death Knell for the Two-State Solution’

J Street strongly opposes the Israeli government’s announcement of its intention to build 3,000 new housing units on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem.

Of particular concern is the announcement of expedited planning for the development of the area known as E-1 between East Jerusalem and Maale Adumim. E-1 is the last undeveloped connection between the north and south of the West Bank. That land is so vital to the creation of a viable and contiguous Palestinian state that experts have called its possible development “the death knell for the two state-solution.”

Recognizing its importance, successive American administrations since the 1990s have intervened to prevent Israel from advancing plans for its development. We strongly urge the Israeli government to abandon these plans, and the Obama administration to maintain its firm opposition.