Smotrich Petitions High Court Against AG Over E1 Housing Tender

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has filed an urgent petition with the High Court of Justice against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. The petition challenges the Attorney General's directive to halt the tender process for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the Mitzpe Adumim neighborhood of Ma'ale Adumim, located in the E1 area.

Smotrich is requesting the court to cancel the directive and allow the tender to proceed according to its original schedule. The tender was initially advertised in August, with the deadline for bids set for October 19, just a week before the upcoming Knesset elections. The Attorney General's office recommended delaying the process, citing concerns that the tender could be used for election propaganda.

In his petition, Smotrich argues that the tender is a professional procedure that began long before the elections and should not be considered a "new decision" requiring a halt during the election period. He contends that opening the bids is a routine administrative action, not one with propaganda value. Alternatively, he requests that the bids be opened on October 27, shortly after the election, rather than being postponed further until November 19.

Notably, Smotrich stated that he was forced to draft the petition himself overnight after not being granted separate representation. He also asked the court to order the Attorney General to reimburse him for the court fees he paid from his private funds, asserting that the state could not represent his position when it directly conflicted with the legal counsel's stance.

Following the petition's submission, Smotrich sharply criticized Baharav-Miara, accusing her of attempting to interfere with the election and obstruct construction in E1. He linked her decision to Gadi Eisenkot's position on construction in the area, claiming the Attorney General had become a "tool in the hands of the Israeli left."