Israel Tenders All 3,401 Units for Controversial E1 Settlement Plan
New bids open October 25 for housing in strategic corridor, raising fears of West Bank fragmentation and isolation of East Jerusalem from its surroundings.
Israeli authorities have advanced the controversial E1 settlement project east of occupied Jerusalem by completing the tendering process for all 3,401 planned housing units. This significant move brings the long-debated initiative closer to implementation despite sustained objections from Palestinian officials and international monitoring groups regarding its strategic impact on the region.
The schedule includes opening bids on October 25 for 2,167 new homes in the E1 zone. These are added to 1,234 units tendered earlier in August, bringing the total covered by tenders to 3,401. The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission confirmed this division does not signal a retreat from plans.
Palestinian officials in the Jerusalem governorate warn that this project will physically connect East Jerusalem with Ma’ale Adumim, one of the largest Israeli settlements in the West Bank. They argue this linkage tightens Israel’s grip on the area surrounding the city while threatening to sever the geographic link between northern and southern territories.
The E1 zone is widely regarded as a strategic corridor located between Jerusalem and settlement blocs to the east. Expansion here would entrench Israeli control over a broad swath of land and deepen the ring of settlements encircling the city. Critics state this undermines territorial contiguity needed for a viable Palestinian state.
Beyond residential housing, the E1 plan includes infrastructure projects, commercial areas, and employment zones. These elements aim to integrate the area into Israel’s road and transportation network. The Commission noted that dividing the project into two tenders places all approved units into the implementation process without legal irreversibility yet.
While opening tenders does not mean construction has begun, it marks an advanced step toward implementation. Further steps remain, including selecting bidders and obtaining permits. This development occurs amid accelerated settlement activity across the occupied West Bank, deepening concerns about the future prospects for a negotiated two-state solution.