Smotrich files personal petition against Baharav-Miara over E1 tender delay

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich filed a personal petition to the High Court of Justice against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, demanding the cancellation of her directive to delay the construction tender in the E1 area. The tender is intended for marketing 1,234 housing units in Ma'ale Adumim. Smotrich claims Baharav-Miara is acting unlawfully and joining a campaign by Gadi Eisenkot.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich filed a personal petition to the High Court of Justice on Tuesday against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, demanding the cancellation of her directive to delay the opening of bids and the announcement of winners in the construction tender in the E1 area. The tender, which received political approval in October 2025, is intended for marketing land for the construction of 1,234 housing units in seven complexes in Ma'ale Adumim. The petition claims that the tender stages were advanced by professional echelons without political intervention. Smotrich accused Baharav-Miara of joining a campaign by Gadi Eisenkot, who announced he would cancel construction in the area, and called her "a tool in the hands of the Israeli left." He argued that she is abusing her position and forced him to pay the court fee from his personal funds. Smotrich linked the move to the need to split the role of the Attorney General and regulate its powers, and declared his determination to complete the judicial reform plan in the next term.