Smotrich Demands AG Rescind Halt on E1 Housing Tender

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has formally requested that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara immediately cancel her directive to postpone the completion of a tender for construction in the E1 area, near Ma'ale Adumim, until after the upcoming elections. Smotrich argued in a letter that the tender is a continuation of technical processes that began long before the election period and does not involve new government or ministerial decisions.

He criticized the manner in which the directive was issued, stating it was decided in a meeting of deputy attorneys general without consulting the political echelon. Smotrich described the directive as an "unprecedented level of advisory audacity," asserting that the legal counsel's office acts as an "all-powerful authority" that doesn't even require consultation with political leadership.

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

Escalating his criticism, Smotrich claimed that halting the tender itself politicizes the issue, linking the directive to the stance of Gadi Eisenkot, who has expressed opposition to construction in the area. Smotrich alleged this is an attempt to leave room for a Palestinian state, which he referred to as a "terror state" in the heart of Israel, and accused the Attorney General of intervening in the election campaign to support the left and prevent the right from forming a government.

Smotrich also appealed to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, urging him to ensure the Attorney General and her staff do not become active participants in the election campaign. The "Otzma Yehudit" party echoed these sentiments, criticizing the Attorney General for repeatedly obstructing initiatives by the right-wing government, including preventing Minister Ben-Gvir from distributing weapons and establishing a national guard.