Overview

• Israel’s Civil Administration planning committee granted the final approval after petitions against the plan were rejected on Aug. 6.
• Construction would expand Maale Adumim with roughly 3,400–3,500 units, with infrastructure work projected within months and homebuilding in about a year.
• Palestinians, the UN and several governments say the project would sever the Ramallah–Bethlehem corridor and jeopardize a two-state outcome.
• The Palestinian Authority condemned the decision as a blow to prospects for a contiguous state and to the territory’s geographic unity.
• The committee also advanced planning for Asael/Ashael, approving about 342–350 homes and steps toward formal recognition.