United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, Wednesday, voiced his concern over Israeli settlement announcements, saying the E1 plan (E1 is the area between Ma’ale Adumim colony and occupied Jerusalem) if implemented, would sever the West Bank in half.
“I am very concerned about Israel’s recent announcements regarding the advancement of settlement construction in Giv’at Hamatos and Har Homa, as well as the plans for 3,500 units in the controversial E1 area, of the occupied West Bank,” Mladenov said in a statement.
“If the E1 plan were to be implemented, it would sever the connection between northern and southern West Bank, significantly undermining the chances for establishing a viable and contiguous Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state solution,” he said, reiterating, “All settlements are illegal under international law and remain a substantial obstacle to peace.”
Image: PNN
