Israel Reverses Decision to Delay Housing Tender Amid Political Firestorm

Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has reversed a decision to postpone by one month a tender for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the E1 area, located between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim. The initial postponement, intended to avoid holding the tender close to the upcoming Knesset elections, sparked significant political controversy.

The decision to delay the tender's deadline, originally set for October 19, just eight days before the October 27 elections, was made by the Attorney General's office due to its proximity to the election date. The plan was to resume the tender process only after the elections.

The E1 tender encompasses seven residential areas planned for 1,234 housing units, part of a larger plan for 3,401 units in the politically sensitive E1 zone. This area, east of Jerusalem, is internationally sensitive and slated for thousands of housing units, employment zones, and public buildings.

The postponement drew sharp criticism from government officials. Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs argued that the political decision to advance the project was made months prior and that the tender had since progressed professionally. The Mayor of Ma'ale Adumim, Guy Yifrah, also opposed the delay, announcing the municipality's intention to petition against it, stating, "We will not give up and will not allow E1 to become a hostage." He emphasized that interfering with an already initiated process carried political implications.

Following the backlash and pressure, the Attorney General's office decided to cancel the postponement, allowing the tender process to proceed without waiting for the election results.