Legal Counsel Reverses Decision, E1 Housing Tender Proceeds

The Israeli Attorney General's office, led by Gali Baharav-Miara, has reversed its decision to postpone a tender for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the E1 area, located between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem. The tender process will now continue without delay, bypassing the upcoming elections. Initially, the Attorney General's office had decided to extend the deadline for bid submissions by a month, citing the proximity to the election period and the potential political implications of advancing the project at that time.

The E1 project is considered strategically important for creating a built-up continuum between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem. The current tender includes seven residential complexes, forming part of a larger plan to advance 3,401 housing units in the area. The Mayor of Ma'ale Adumim, Guy Yifrach, expressed satisfaction with the reversal, stating, "After more than 30 years of waiting, it is time to build." He encouraged developers to participate in the tender, calling it a "Zionist act."

However, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich accused the Attorney General of a "tactic" aimed at preventing the completion of the tender during the current government's term. Smotrich alleged that Baharav-Miara, in conjunction with a perceived opposition from former National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi (though Hanegbi is not mentioned in the article, Smotrich refers to 'Izankot' which is likely a typo for Hanegbi or another figure opposing construction), is trying to stall the process. Smotrich believes the goal is to allow a potential left-wing government to take power and cancel the construction. He insists the tender must be fully completed, including the announcement of a winner and the commencement of construction, by its original deadline.