The chairman of the left-wing party 'Yashar', Gadi Eisenkot, opposes the promotion of construction in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim.
In an interview with Danny Zaken in the Israel Hayom newspaper, Eisenkot said that "anyone who thinks about a two-state solution after October 7 is simply delusional," and emphasized that Palestinian terrorism against Israel is "deep-rooted and deep.".
However, when asked about advancing construction in the E1 area, between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, he replied that in his opinion the move should not be promoted at this time. "Not now. This is a mistake that is costing us an international price," he said.
He said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also opposed advancing the plan in the past, but "came under coalition pressure and approved it.".
The leftist leader sharply criticized ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, claiming that their activities, along with incidents of settler violence against Palestinians, harm Israel's international standing and even "endanger the entire settlement." According to him, "the two are sabotaging Israel's national interest.".
At the same time, Eisenkot made it clear that he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state in the reality created after the October 7 attack, but believes that the political and security campaign should be conducted in a way that, he said, will prevent harm to Israel's standing in the world.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded to Eisenkot: "The construction that I am leading in the E1 area is the destruction of the dream of establishing a terrorist state near Jerusalem. Those who oppose construction in E1 support the establishment of a Palestinian state," he said.
