Government opens bidding to build 1,200 homes in controversial E1 settlement project

The Israeli government issued a tender for 1,234 housing units in the E1 area east of Jerusalem, part of a larger plan for about 3,400 units. The tender, published by the Construction and Housing Ministry, gives contractors until October 19 to bid, a week before the October 27 election. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the plan, saying it 'practically erases the two-state delusion.' Peace Now criticized the move, saying it violates a state commitment and would isolate Bedouin communities, including Khan al-Ahmar.

The Israeli government on Tuesday issued a tender for the construction of seven residential compounds with 1,234 housing units in the E1 area east of Jerusalem. The tender, published by the Construction and Housing Ministry, gives contractors until October 19 to bid, a week before the October 27 parliamentary election. These units are part of a larger plan for roughly 3,400 E1 housing units approved last August. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the plan, saying it 'practically erases the two-state delusion' by splitting the territory. The Peace Now settlement watchdog, which challenged the plan in the Supreme Court, said the government is trying to realize the settler right wing's vision of annexation during the election period. Peace Now also charged that the tender was published in violation of a state commitment, noting that the State Attorney's Office had said in July that no tenders were expected in the next two to three months. The group added that the plan would isolate dozens of Bedouin communities, including Khan al-Ahmar, and lead to their expulsion. The E1 project connects Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, potentially preventing a contiguous Palestinian state.