Allegedly, this controversy pertains to the city of Ma’aleh Adummim to the east of Jerusalem. But E1 is not a part of Ma’aleh Adummim. The proposed building in E1 differs in principle from building in the city of Ma’aleh Adummim -- both topographically and in terms of its political ramifications. E1’s inclusion within Ma'aleh Adummim's municipal boundaries was designed to give the impression that they are one and the same, but this is not the case.

Often, the nature of the objections of the American government and other international players to Israel’s policies in the area is misrepresented. They are directed towards not at Ma’aleh Adummim proper, but against development in E1. This distinction is paramount, as the Americans, and even the Palestinians, are willing to accept an Israeli presence in Ma’aleh Adummim; but not in E1.

The area of E1 should be seen for what it really is – a separate settlement – which, if built, will have long-term repercussions on the political process between Israel and the future Palestinian state. It seems that this insistence on building up E1 is intended to unilaterally pre-determine the future borders in the Jerusalem region, by creating "facts on the ground."

Without prejudice to the status of Ma’aleh Adummim itself, Ir Amim maintains that it is necessary to preserve the territorial contiguity of the future Palestinian region with East Jerusalem, for the sake of the national interests of the State of Israel. The permanent borders of the area should be determined in negotiations between the two sides. Until then, no unilateral actions should be taken that might harm the feasibility of such negotiations.

In fact, the development of E1 will split the West Bank in two and will cement Israeli control over East Jerusalem. This course of action may not only compromise the possibility of reaching an agreement, but may even prevent the opening of negotiations between the sides.