Netanyahu annuls Housing Ministry tenders for E1 housing units
Housing Ministry issues tenders for some 20,000 housing units in territories, including in disputed E1 area. PMO cancels tender for E1
The State of Israel
has issued a tender for 20,000 new housing units in the territories, including in the disputed E1 area near Ma'aleh Adumim,
but the Prime Minister's Office canceled the tender pertaining to E1, stating on Tuesday that "there is no need to pay international prices for a process that does not have great significance."
The plan could have stirred harsh international criticism, focusing on the planning of some 1,400 housing units in E1.
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The United States and the European Union both have harshly criticized Israel's declared plans to pursue construction in E1 areas in the past, with the US labeling it "a pattern of provocative action."
The tender list of the Housing Ministry includes other sensitive areas in the West Bank, including Gush Etzion and the town of Efrat.
In response, the Peace Now organization stated: "The peace talks are just for show. Behind the scenes, the government is planning to ruin the prospects of two states and fill the territories with new settlers. Issuing tenders is clear evidence of Netanyahu's intention to foil the (peace) agreement."
Sources with the Housing Ministry said that the issuance was part of an annual routine procedure under which many housing units are planned across the country, including in the West Bank.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report
