Legal Battle Over Major E1 Settlement Project Intensifies Ahead of Elections

The Israeli Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, reversed her decision to delay a tender for a large construction project in the E1 area of Ma'ale Adumim, following a petition to the High Court of Justice by the Ma'ale Adumim municipality. Initially, Baharav-Miara had instructed to postpone the tender process until after the upcoming elections, citing their proximity. However, MK Tally Gottlieb argued that the plan was old and should not be held up. The municipality's petition to the High Court prompted the Attorney General to retract her directive.

The tender, which will now reopen for contractor bids, involves the construction of 1,234 housing units. The Attorney General has requested that the winner not be announced until after the elections. The E1 area, located in Area C of the West Bank and outside the Green Line, is strategically significant as building there would create territorial continuity between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, a prospect opposed by various organizations.

This is not the only decision impacted by the election timing. The Attorney General also opposed the appointment of Yehuda Eliyahu as permanent director of the Israel Land Authority due to his close ties to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, further delaying his confirmation since January.

The Ma'ale Adumim construction plan was approved months ago, with the tender published in August. The municipality's concern is that a change in government after the elections could halt construction. The Jerusalem District Court recently ruled against stopping the E1 construction tender. Bids are due by October 19th, but companies might delay submissions, fearing post-election construction delays, potentially leading to further legal challenges.