Israel’s E1 plan explained: The Jerusalem-area corridor sparking international backlash

The Netanyahu government last month announced tenders for the first 1,400 of roughly 3,400 housing units in E1, a 4.6-square-mile area that would expand the connection between Ma’ale Adumim and Jerusalem. In response, Britain announced sanctions on products from Judea and Samaria, while 11 other countries—Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden—stated they are considering trade restrictions. Doron Spielman, international spokesman for the Prime Minister’s office, defended the project, noting that E1 is in Area C, which is under full Israeli security and civilian control per the Oslo Accords. He described the project as a natural extension of Ma’ale Adumim and rejected claims that it hinders Palestinian movement. Conversely, former Palestinian Authority minister Ashraf al-Ajrami argued the plan aims to destroy the two-state solution. Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren stated that while the project may violate the spirit of the Oslo Accords, it does not violate the text of the agreements. Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, emphasized that E1 serves as a critical security corridor to protect Jerusalem from potential threats.