Finance Minister Smotrich Demands Gadi Eizenkot Clarify Stance on Controversial E1 Construction

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sharply criticized Gadi Eizenkot, chairman of the Yisrael party, on Saturday evening, demanding he clarify his position on construction in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim. Smotrich accused Eizenkot of evading the issue amid international condemnation and threats from European countries. He framed the debate as a clear test: opposing construction in E1 supports the establishment of a Palestinian state by maintaining Arab territorial continuity, while supporting construction aims to connect Ma'ale Adumim to Jerusalem and end the two-state solution discourse. Smotrich directly asked Eizenkot if he supports the approved construction and if he commits to not halting development in the area.

This confrontation follows tensions sparked by a campaign video released by Smotrich featuring two young girls, which Eizenkot's party challenged at the Elections Committee for illegal use of children. The committee ordered Smotrich to remove the video from social media.

E1 is a highly sensitive political area, with past construction plans drawing strong criticism from the US and European nations for disrupting Palestinian territorial contiguity and hindering statehood prospects. In 2013, Palestinians attempted to establish an outpost called Bab al-Shams there, but the Israeli Supreme Court issued an interim injunction preventing its immediate evacuation.

The dispute also occurs amid broader political tensions, including remarks by Mansour Abbas of the United Arab List calling for recognition of a Palestinian state, which Prime Minister Netanyahu and Eizenkot strongly opposed. Avi Maoz, leader of the Noam party, responded by urging right-wing parties to commit to passing sovereignty laws over Judea and Samaria immediately after the elections to prevent a "terror state" in the heart of Israel.