Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has revived plans to expand settlements in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, a project long delayed under previous US Democratic administrations.
Development in this area had been blocked during the presidencies of Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
Speaking at a press event in Maale Adumim, Smotrich praised current US Republican leadership, saying President Donald Trump and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee are strong allies of Israel.
Although he claimed both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu back the E1 project, Netanyahu has yet to make a public statement on the plan.
The proposal requires formal government approval before construction can begin. If approved, building work on new housing units in the Maale Adumim settlement could start within a year.
The US response avoided directly addressing the settlement issue.
A State Department spokesperson said maintaining stability in the West Bank supports Israel’s security and aligns with the administration’s aim of achieving peace in the region.
Palestinian authorities, Israeli rights groups, and several Arab countries have voiced firm opposition.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for sanctions to stop the project, describing it as part of Israel’s effort to block the creation of a Palestinian state.
Israeli monitoring group Peace Now warned the plan could end chances for a peaceful two-state solution.
The concept envisions Israel and a future Palestinian state living side by side with secure borders.
Qatar labelled the plan a breach of international law and urged global action to halt settlement expansion.
Egypt’s foreign ministry also issued a strong rebuke, criticizing statements by Smotrich that promote Israeli sovereignty over West Bank land.
The E1 tract has been one of the most disputed areas in settlement politics, as building there could divide Palestinian communities and hinder territorial continuity.
With US policy now less critical of such projects, Israel’s right-wing leadership appears more confident in advancing controversial settlement moves.