E1 settlement: Why Netanyahu, Israel’s right might not mind global outrage

The Israeli government last week invited bids for the building of more than 1,200 units, a key step towards the construction of the E1 settlement in the occupied West Bank just two months before Israel’s general election.E1 (East 1) would link Ma’ale Adumim and other illegal Israeli settlements to occupied East Jerusalem, effectively severing the West Bank in two. Both supporters and critics agree that its construction would end the possibility of a Palestinian state.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Analysis: Israel’s government can’t disown West Bank settler violencelist 2 of 4Palestinians, UK condemn Israel’s ‘destructive’ E1 settlement planlist 3 of 4Europe, Canada condemn Israeli plans for new West Bank settlementlist 4 of 4Why Israeli tenders for illegal E1 West Bank settlement prompted outrageend of listThe move has drawn international outrage, including from the United Nations.But sections of Israel’s political class are using this global backlash to their own ends and could frame their support for E1 as a key pitch in their election campaigns.How could they benefit Israel?Many on Israel’s right, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thrive on the interna...