Jerusalem:Israel is set to open bidding on December 1 for 2,167 homes in the E1 area, east of occupied East Jerusalem, according to three Israeli rights organizations. These homes are part of a contentious settlement project deemed illegal by various international groups.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the organizations Ir Amim, Bimkom, and Peace Now have announced that the bidding process will remain open until December 28. They have expressed concern that the timing indicates Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government's resolve to push forward with the project while it is still in office.

The rights groups reported recent demolitions of homes and new demolition orders issued on November 3 in a Palestinian Bedouin community within the project area. They highlighted that construction preparations are already underway, even before the bidding officially begins.

A different tender for 1,234 additional settlement homes in the E1 area closed shortly before the October 27 election. The review of these bids has been delayed until November 19 on the advice of the attorney general, to avoid them being used for election purposes. The organizations have requested further postponement of this review until a new government is established, warning that construction would be significantly harder to halt once bids are reviewed and contracts signed.

The E1 settlement project is controversial as it would separate occupied East Jerusalem from Palestinian communities to the east and disrupt territorial continuity between the northern and southern parts of the West Bank. The plan has faced significant international opposition, with several governments cautioning that it could undermine the prospects for a viable Palestinian state.