Israel’s illegal Jewish settlements have had a major strategic and political purpose from the onset. Despite claims to “reclaim” the God-given land for the Jewish people, Israeli settlements are said to prevent the creation of a contiguous independent Palestinian state. The latest Israeli push to revive the E1 settlement plans in East Jerusalem has that precise aim.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appears to be pushing for a fourth Israeli election within less than two years, appears to be eyeing the area that could connect the large Ma’ale Adumim settlement with West Jerusalem. Having failed to get the green light from Washington for unilateral annexation of Palestinian lands in the West Bank, Netanyahu appears to be intent on satisfying right-wingers in Israel by launching the controversial settlement to the east of East Jerusalem, which would physically destroy any remote chance of a two-state solution that would include a contiguous Palestinian state.