As the international community continues to pressure Israel to back down from planned construction in the area known as E1, between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, Civil Administration Supreme Planning Council members on Wednesday 21 Kislev 5773 met in an underground office in the Shomron community of Beit El. During the discussion, council members approved a committee to entrust the planning and building construction program of the over 3,000 housing units in question. Following the directive, it is possible for an interested party to file objections to the program, which remains at the heart of the political crisis between Israel and the international community.

As noted, despite international pressure, the commission discussed two building projects in the E1 area – the first 1,250 new housing units and other 2,176. The committee convened after pressure was applied from the Prime Minister’s Office, and the latter compelled the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj.-Gen. Eitan Dangot to convene the forum.

Sitting in on the meeting were representatives of the Civil Administration, Housing Ministry, communities in Yehuda & Shomron, legal experts, and other professionals. Further discussion towards approving the community will require approval of Major-General Dangot, which in turn translates to obtaining the required go ahead from the defense minister since advancing the E1 program falls under the minister’s jurisdiction.

Architects of the Minister of Housing and from Maale Adumim presented the maps, spelling out in essence; there are two separate areas of construction, both approved in 2005 under different conditions. The meeting of the supreme council on Wednesday was towards renewing that approval.

Housing Ministry architects spoke of the first plan, E1 South, which addresses construction in proximity to the Shai Police Headquarters. 1,250 housing units would be constructed in this vacant area, multi-tiered apartment buildings to accommodate the hilly terrain. The plan of course includes a commercial center, schools and even a hostel. The construction aims to integrate the natural topography of the area, and not to compromise it. Committee members acknowledged there are problems in connecting the new community to sewage and water, to the existing infrastructure grid and these issues must be addressed in order to obtain the required planning board approval.

The second plan is E1 East, 2,176 housing units.

During the meeting officials also approved another plan, for 112 units in Maale Adumim, not E1. The building will house a new research facility.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)