In preparation for Biden's visit to Israel on July 14, the Americans turned to Israeli officials and asked them to postpone the discussion of objections concluding on the construction of the E1 area near Ma'ale Adumim, which was scheduled for July 18, a few days after Biden's visit.
The American demand was first published by Walla journalist Barak Ravid.
Political sources told Israel Today: "The Americans oppose this plan, to carry it out a few days after Biden's visit will create a problem in front of the Americans. This is a matter related to the Ministry of Defense.
If the debate is indeed postponed, the right and the settlement criticize it and say that it is a matter of the government folding over the Americans.
Every effort is made to make the visit a smooth one.
Bennett and Biden (Archive), Photo: Avi Ohayon GPO
As first reported in "Israel Today", in response to the petition, the State Attorney's Office determined that the subcommittee on objections in the Civil Administration is expected to hold on July 18 the concluding discussion on objections submitted by Palestinians and left-wing organizations, on the E1 construction plans near Ma'ale Adumim.
This is after the last and concluding discussion of the objections has been postponed for about six months.
The construction plans on the E1, which have been met with great opposition among the international community for years, include 3,500 housing units in an area of about 12 square kilometers in the area between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem - which was declared in 1998 as the municipal area of Ma'ale Adumim. A thousand residents, and the program, which was promoted decades ago in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, is designed to provide solutions for young couples and the high demand for housing in the city.
The discussion of objections in the Subcommittee on Objections of the Supreme Planning Council in the Civil Administration, is the first of several stages in the planning process in Judea and Samaria, until final approval of the plans and the start of construction.
So far, the committee has held three discussions - in October and November 2021, after the government decided last summer to move forward with the planning process.
The move was sharply criticized by the left-wing parties in the coalition, and in January this year the municipality of Ma'ale Adumim was notified that the last and concluding discussion, in which its positions and the position of the Ministry of Housing were to be heard, had been postponed.
As mentioned, although a hearing is scheduled for July 18, it will likely be postponed due to the high cost of Biden and the request of the Americans.
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