PM Denies Plans to Build in E1, Blames Uri Ariel

The Prime Minister's Office released a statement on Tuesday, denying the report that Israel is planning on building thousands of housing units in the E-1 zone, east of Jerusalem.

The statement claimed that Minister Uri Ariel put forward the plans on his own accord, and they are non-binding and irrelevant.

The Palestinian Authority wants control over the E-1 area as it cuts off the city of Maaleh Adumim and the Dead Sea from Jerusalem, and provides the PA with a choke hold around Jerusalem from 3 sides.

Over the years, Netanyahu has occasionally promised to build in E1, only to later retract and block the plans, usually in a complex dance with Uri Ariel, where Ariel puts forth the E1 plans that Netanyahu had once upon a time promised.