Netanyahus Main Opponent Opposes Construction Preventing Contiguous Palestinian State
Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot opposes E1 construction, warning it will harm Israel internationally, a stance criticized by Finance Minister Smotrich.
Jerusalem, 27 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Chairman of the Yashar party, Gadi Eisenkot, who is currently ahead of Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu in most polls, opposes advancing construction in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim.
The move would make it more difficult to create an Arab territorial contiguity in Judea and Samaria.
Eisenkot said on Wednesday that although he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state, advancing construction in the area would be a “mistake” that comes at a cost to Israel on the international stage.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attacked Eisenkot’s position, arguing that construction in E1 is essential to killing the idea of a Palestinian state and creating Israeli territorial contiguity. “Anyone who opposes construction in E1 supports the establishment of a Palestinian state,” he declared.