Israel Advances E1 Settlement Project With 2,167 New Units Ahead of Election

Israeli authorities are set to open bids for the construction of 2,167 settlement units in the E1 project, located between Jerusalem and the Ma'ale Adumim settlement, on October 25. This move, occurring just two days before the Israeli elections on October 27, aims to advance the marketing of all approved housing units within the project. The Ministry of Construction and Housing updated the tender timeline last week, with bids opening on October 25 and closing on December 21. These new units add to a separate tender issued in August for 1,234 units, bringing the total approved units in E1 to 3,401.

In parallel, a new tender date has been set for a commercial and industrial zone within E1, spanning approximately 1,355 dunams east of Anatot. Bids for this zone are scheduled to open on November 2 and close on January 4, 2027. This commercial zone tender was initially released in March.

Human rights groups, including Ir Amim and Peace Now, emphasize that the E1 project is highly sensitive due to its location. They warn that construction will geographically link Ma'ale Adumim with Jerusalem, fragmenting Palestinian space and hindering Palestinian contiguity between the northern and southern West Bank, as well as access to East Jerusalem.

Despite petitions against the E1 plans, the Jerusalem District Court rejected an interim injunction request to freeze the tender procedures on September 8. The petitions remain under consideration. Ir Amim stated that opening the bid for the 2,167 units so close to the election, alongside the August tender, will push forward all 3,401 units. The group believes the timing and pace of the project reflect the government's determination to establish irreversible facts on the ground.