The Netanyahu government’s recent approval of the so-called “Fabric of Life” road project in East Jerusalem marks a major step in what is shaping up to be Israel’s most significant annexation initiative since 1967. The project is part of a larger strategy to formally incorporate parts of the West Bank — specifically around the Ma’ale Adumim settlement — into the municipal boundaries of Israeli-occupied Jerusalem, annexing up to 3% of the West Bank.
A Road to Segregation: A Tunnel for Palestinians Only
The plan involves digging an underground tunnel running north to south through East Jerusalem, which will be exclusively for Palestinian use. Palestinians will be banned from using Road 1, the highway that runs from central Jerusalem through Palestinian neighbourhoods and past Ma’ale Adumim on the way to Jericho. Until now, Palestinians had no choice but to use this settler-dominated road briefly to travel between the northern and southern parts of the West Bank, entering near Anata and exiting via Wadi al-Nar (Ramallah–Bethlehem road).
Under the new plan, Palestinians will be rerouted underground via a tunnel starting near al-Za’im, northeast of Jerusalem, and emerging at the southern edge of al-Eizariya, just beyond the Mount of Olives, near the Old City.
From Sharon’s Vision to Today’s Reality
Though the plan gained media attention only recently, it was first proposed and approved back in spring 2020 during one of Netanyahu’s earlier governments. Implementation was delayed due to political instability. With Netanyahu back in power — now heavily reliant on the Religious Zionism bloc led by Bezalel Smotrich — the project has regained momentum.
This road project is strategic and dangerous. It originates from the vision of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who sought to expand the borders of occupied Jerusalem eastward, at the expense of West Bank land. His goal: to encircle Jerusalem with settlements, maintain a Jewish majority, and sever Palestinian neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem from their natural ties to the West Bank.
The Larger Goal: Fragment the West Bank and Kill the Two-State Solution
At its core, the project is designed to help realize the concept of “Greater Jerusalem”, effectively cutting the West Bank in two — north and south — and making geographical continuity impossible. This would eliminate any realistic hope of a future Palestinian state.
For decades, Israel has pursued this strategy cautiously, fearing international backlash over Jerusalem’s status and concerns over holy sites. But now, with Religious Zionists effectively steering government policy, the project is moving ahead more aggressively.
Smotrich’s Rise and Political Gamesmanship
Smotrich, who recently saved Netanyahu’s government from collapse during ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, is leveraging his position to advance annexation. His ministry is funding the project using tax revenues collected from Palestinians, claiming it benefits them — since the tunnel will be designated for Palestinian use only.
Meanwhile, far-right figure Itamar Ben-Gvir, feeling politically sidelined, has responded with provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, using religious incitement to reassert his dominance over Jerusalem’s settler agenda.
Why Build a Road for Palestinians If the Goal Is Annexation?
This seemingly contradictory move — building infrastructure for Palestinians — actually serves multiple Israeli goals:
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- Short-term: It enforces total segregation between settlers and Palestinians around East Jerusalem. By funnelling Palestinians underground, Israel can dedicate surface roads entirely to settlers, bolstering the perception of “security” and reinforcing settler claims over Ma’ale Adumim and its surroundings.
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- Long-term: It facilitates geographical disconnection. The tunnel becomes the only link between Ramallah and Bethlehem. At any moment, Israel could sever this link with a single military checkpoint. This creates an environment ripe for ethnic fragmentation, making mass displacement easier — as seen in Gaza, where similar tactics have been deployed to divide and isolate populations.
A Gateway to Full Annexation
Annexing Ma’ale Adumim paves the way to absorb E1 — the sensitive area surrounding al-Eizariya and Abu Dis. Doing so would completely encircle these Palestinian areas, cutting them off from both Jerusalem and the West Bank, turning them into walled ghettos.
This land grab amounts to annexing 3% of the West Bank, and is likely just the beginning. Once Israel feels it has resolved the “Jerusalem dilemma,” it may proceed to annex the entire West Bank, piece by piece.
The Urgent Lesson: Act Before It’s Too Late
In light of this alarming development, one truth becomes painfully clear: The Palestinian people cannot afford to wait for Israel to implement its plans before reacting. Whoever moves first controls the outcome. Delay means defeat.
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