Finance Minister Demands Reversal of E1 Housing Tender Delay

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has formally requested that the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, immediately cancel an order to postpone the completion of a tender for construction in the E1 area, near Ma'ale Adumim, until after the upcoming elections.

In a strongly worded letter, Smotrich argued that the tender is a continuation of technical and professional procedures that began long before the election period and did not involve political decision-making. He criticized the process by which the postponement order was issued, stating it was decided in a meeting of deputy attorneys general without consulting the political echelon. Smotrich accused the legal advisor's office of overreach, claiming it views itself as an all-powerful authority that doesn't even need to involve political figures.

Smotrich further contended that the postponement lacks sufficient legal basis, as election period directives typically apply to decisions made by the government or ministers, whereas this involves an ongoing tender process. He emphasized that the selection of winners is handled by a tender committee of the Israel Land Authority based on pre-established criteria, describing it as a "technical process" with limited discretion.

Escalating his criticism, Smotrich asserted that halting the tender itself politicizes the issue and attempts to prevent the establishment of facts on the ground in E1. He linked the directive to the stance of Gadi Eisenkot on construction in the area, suggesting it aims to leave room for a Palestinian state. Smotrich stated that this directive is a blatant intervention in the election campaign, designed to aid the left, prevent a right-wing government, and enable the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel.

During a tour in the Judea and Samaria region, Smotrich publicly accused Baharav-Miara of trying to stop construction in E1 and working for Eisenkot's agenda to allow a "terror state" in the heart of Israel. He also appealed to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, to intervene and ensure the Attorney General's office does not become an active participant in the election campaign.

Smotrich concluded his letter by demanding to be informed immediately of the directive's cancellation and confirmation that the tender process can proceed as originally scheduled.