Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday announced the approval of 3,401 new housing units in the so-called E1 area near Ma’ale Adumim in Judea and Samaria.

The E1 project has been delayed for decades due to international opposition, led by previous United States administrations.

“Approval of construction plans in E1 buries the idea of a Palestinian state and continues the many steps we are taking on the ground as part of the de facto sovereignty plan that we began implementing with the establishment of the government,” said Smotrich, who also serves as a second minister in the Israeli Defense Ministry, with responsibility for civilian matters in Judea and Samaria.

“After decades of international pressure and freezes, we are breaking conventions and connecting Ma’ale Adu

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