Israel's Legal Advisor Orders Delay of E1 Housing Tender Until After Elections

Israel's Attorney General has instructed a delay in the tender for over 1,000 new housing units in the E1 area, pushing the deadline for bids until after the upcoming Knesset elections. The decision, according to the Attorney General's office, aims to prevent the tender from being used for prohibited political propaganda.

The Mayor of Ma'ale Adumim, Guy Yifrah, strongly criticized the directive, calling it a "red line crossing." He argued that the decision to advance the tender was made months prior and had been progressing through a professional process. Yifrah asserted that halting the tender now, rather than its continuation, constitutes a significant political intervention.

"Why only E1?" Yifrah questioned, pointing out that construction tenders are proceeding nationwide. He stated that building homes in Ma'ale Adumim is not a partisan issue and that such decisions erode public trust in the Attorney General's office. He also highlighted the existing international pressure on the E1 project and the need for certainty for developers and contractors.

The Ma'ale Adumim municipality announced it would petition against the decision and use all legal means to ensure the tender proceeds. Yifrah emphasized the long wait for the E1 project, over 30 years, and stated that young couples and families seeking to build homes there are not hostages. The municipality vowed to fight for the construction in E1.