Israel Issues Tender for E1 Settlement East of Jerusalem

Israel has issued a government tender that clears the way for construction to begin on the long-planned E1 settlement project east of Jerusalem, a move that would connect the city's outskirts to the West Bank and potentially divide the occupied territory into northern and southern sections.

The tender, published on the Israel Land Authority's website, invites developers to submit bids for building 3,401 housing units in the E1 area, an open tract of land spanning about 12 square kilometers. According to the antisettlement monitoring group Peace Now, which first reported the tender, this step marks the final administrative hurdle before work can start. Yoni Mizrahi, head of Peace Now's settlement watch division, said initial site preparation could begin as early as within the next month, depending on the bidding process.

The E1 project has been discussed for more than two decades but faced repeated delays, including a freeze imposed during previous Israeli governments amid pressure from the United States. Now, with the tender in place, officials anticipate rapid progress. The Israeli Finance Minister, who oversees settlement policy, has been a key proponent of advancing the plan....