Israel Advances E1 Settlement Plans Days Before Election

The Israeli Ministry of Construction and Housing has announced new tender dates for construction in the E1 area, located between Jerusalem and the Ma'ale Adumim settlement. A tender for 2,167 housing units is set to open on October 25, just two days before Israeli elections, and will close on December 21. These units, combined with 1,234 units put out for tender in August, comprise the full 3,401 housing units approved for the E1 plan.

In parallel, a new tender date has been set for a commercial and industrial zone in E1. Bids for this zone, spanning approximately 1,355 dunams east of Anatot, will be accepted from November 2, 2024, to January 4, 2027. According to the Ir Amim NGO, advancing these construction and commercial projects will strengthen Israeli geographical contiguity between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem, while fragmenting Palestinian space in the area.

Ir Amim noted that the original tender for E1 included 3,401 units. In August, a separate tender for 1,234 units was unexpectedly released, despite a prior commitment to notify objectors. Following this, petitioners against the E1 plans requested a freeze on the tender process, but the Jerusalem District Court rejected the request on September 8. The petitions against the E1 plans are still pending, with the state having recently received an extension to submit its response until September 24.

Ir Amim stated that the government's intention to open the tender for the remaining 2,167 units so close to the elections, alongside the August tender and the planned commercial zone, demonstrates a determination to establish irreversible facts on the ground. The NGO emphasized that these steps will enhance Israeli geographical connection between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem and further fragment Palestinian space.