OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
Hebrew reports revealed an Israeli plan to demolish a large commercial area east of al-Eizariya town, east of occupied Jerusalem, in a step that would completely close the E1 highway area to Palestinians, which is the axis that connects the north and center of the West Bank with its south.
According to a report by the Israeli Peace Now organization, specialized in monitoring settlement assaults, a force from the Israeli border police arrived last Wednesday, 6 May, at a complex of commercial shops and car repair workshops at the eastern entrance to al-Eizariya, and informed their owners that the occupation authorities intend to demolish them next Sunday, today, and demanded they evacuate them immediately.
The organization explained that there are fears that the demolition process is linked to Israeli plans to start establishing a new road between al-Eizariya and al-Zayim, aiming to divert Palestinian traffic away from Ma’ale Adumim settlement, and completely close the E1 area to Palestinians.
It added that all targeted buildings are located along the path of the planned road, which suggests that the demolition comes in preparation for paving it soon.
Peace Now indicated that in August 2025, the Civil Administration of the Israeli army issued dozens of demolition orders in al-Eizariya, including commercial shops at the eastern entrance and other buildings in northern areas, under the pretext of building without a license.
It said that these measures come within the Israeli efforts to enhance the establishment of the settlement in the E1 area, which is a step that would eliminate any possibility for a two-state solution, and cause severe damage to the Palestinian economy and its ability to build a future state.
The organization showed that the detailed plan for the road has not been published to the public, because the project is classified as a security road, as part of its path passes through Area B where Israel does not have planning powers.
According to the organization, the government uses this security classification to circumvent legal restrictions and pave the road through lands that are supposed to be under the authority of the Palestinian Authority under signed agreements.
The E1 plan aims to isolate Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings, and cut the geographical and population continuity between the city and Palestinian communities, and undermine the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
It also aims to isolate the north of the West Bank from its south and turn it into pockets whose movement is controlled by Israel.
