Credit: The author, Independent Jewish Voices Canada, Peace Now, The Guardian, Wikipedia, Google The E-1 (East 1) West Bank settlement plan involves building over 3,400 housing units between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim, which international, Palestinian, and Israeli critics oppose because it would divide the West Bank, cut off access to East Jerusalem, and make a contiguous Palestinian state impossible. The European Union, United Nations, and over 20 countries—including the UK, France, and Canada—have strongly opposed E-1, characterizing it as a major threat to the two-state solution and a violation of international law. US Democrats call E-1 “the doomsday settlement”. Palestinian leaders and activists see this as a "colonial" move aimed at erasing the possibility of their self-determination, threatening to ignite further conflict. In fact, this author sees the E-1 settlement as Israel provoking terrorism and resistance. You reap what you sow. As of September 2025, the State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign nation by 157 of the 193 member states of the United Nations (UN), or just over 81% of all UN members. It has been a non-member observer state of the UN General Assembly since November 2012. This limited status is largely due to the fact that the United States, a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power, has consistently blocked Palestine's full UN membership. Palestine is recognised by the other four permanent members, which are China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Only America is getting in the way to appease Israel. Why? These 157 countries must step up to the plate to diplomatically and physically if necessary stop the E-1 settlement. If these nations recognise Palestine, there must be some teeth to their recognition.
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