Finance Minister Slams Attorney General Over E1 Construction Delay

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has sharply criticized Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara for her directive to postpone the completion of a construction tender in the E1 area near Ma'ale Adumim. Smotrich, who also chairs the Religious Zionism party, sent a strongly worded letter to the Attorney General, accusing her of improper interference in the upcoming election campaign and attempting to aid the left-wing parties.

In a video released during a tour of settlements in Judea and Samaria, Smotrich stated, "Gali Baharav-Miara is trying to stop construction in E1. She is interfering in the election campaign and working for Gadi Eisenkot, who announced he would stop construction to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state, a terror state in the heart of Israel. I will not allow her to do this."

Smotrich argued that the tender process was legal and began long before the election period. He demanded the immediate cancellation of the postponement directive and the continuation of the tender according to its original schedule. The Attorney General's office had ordered the deadline for submitting bids to be extended by a month, ensuring the process would only conclude after the Knesset elections.

The E1 tender, published in mid-August, includes seven residential areas comprising 1,234 housing units out of a total of 3,401 approved for the site. The Attorney General's office cited the area's significant political and international sensitivity as the reason for the delay, aiming to prevent election interference.

Smotrich also appealed to the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Noam Sohlberg, urging him to intervene. He called on Sohlberg to ensure the Attorney General and her staff do not become active participants in the election campaign, attempting to benefit the left, prevent a right-wing government, and enable the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel's existence.

The E1 area, situated between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, is politically sensitive. Proponents argue construction will strengthen territorial continuity between the two cities, while various international entities oppose the project. The Ma'ale Adumim municipality announced its intention to petition the court against the postponement. The original bid deadline was October 19, just eight days before the October 27 elections.