Israel advances settlement project that could divide West Bank

Israel has given final approval for a long-disputed settlement project in the occupied West Bank, which could effectively cut the territory in two, as Palestinians and rights groups say the move could destroy plans for a future Palestinian state. Settlement development in E1, an area surrounding occupied East Jerusalem, has been under consideration for more than two decades, but was frozen due to US pressure during previous administrations. On Wednesday, the project received final approval from the Planning and Building Committee after the last petitions against it were rejected on August 6.