E1 Tender 2026: The Historic Jerusalem-Ma'ale Adumim Link
The E1 Tender: The Moment We Waited Over Three Decades For
On August 18, 2026, something happened that many in Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem had been waiting years for: an additional E1 tender was published, this time for 1,234 housing units in the southern part of the plan. This is not just another media announcement or another planning stage on paper – it is the first tangible step toward actual construction beginning in the E1 area, after more than three decades in which the plan was delayed again and again, starting with the original Alon Plan back in the 1990s and continuing to this day.
What Exactly Is the E1 Area?
The E1 area is a strip of land spanning about 12 square kilometers, located between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, under the municipal authority of Ma'ale Adumim. Geographically, it is the key area that creates a built continuity between the capital and its large eastern suburb – hence the enormous historical and planning importance attributed to it over the years.
The Timeline That Led to This Moment
- August 2025 – The Supreme Planning Council approves the plan: 3,401 housing units in the first phase.
- September 2025 – A framework agreement worth ₪3 billion is signed, including the expansion of Route 437, a second transportation route to Jerusalem via the Mount Merkam area, and new access roads.
- January 2026 – The first construction tender (460/2025) is published, with a submission deadline of March 2026.
- August 18, 2026 – An additional tender for 1,234 housing units in the southern part of the area is published.
This timeline, whose beginning lies far in the past, illustrates just how carefully and gradually this process has been built – and why it is only now reaching a true turning point.
Why It's Happening Now
Over the years, the E1 plan was delayed again and again, mainly due to international pressure and political considerations. Without entering the political debate, the central fact for anyone interested in real estate is this: the current government has advanced the plan systematically, from planning approval, through the budgetary framework agreement, to the actual construction tenders. This is a gradual, documented process, not a one-time announcement, and therefore it carries far more credible weight for anyone trying to assess the chances of realization.
What This Means for Ma'ale Adumim as a City
For Ma'ale Adumim, the establishment of E1 means strengthening its status as a key city in "Greater Jerusalem" – an urban continuity connecting the capital to its eastern suburbs. Together with the neighboring Tzipor Midbar neighborhood (about 3,500 additional housing units), a total of roughly 7,000 new apartments are expected to be built in the area in the coming years. This is a scale of construction not seen in Ma'ale Adumim for many years, and it is set to transform the city in terms of housing supply, population, and infrastructure.
When Is Actual Construction Expected to Begin
According to the official timelines published, the start of actual infrastructure and construction work is expected between 2026 and 2027, depending on the progress of contractor tenders and execution approvals. Anyone interested in entering at an early stage – whether for personal purchase or as an investment – is currently at the ideal point in time to begin studying the project in depth.
Continue Reading – Everything You Need to Know
To understand the full picture, we recommend also reading about the 1,234-unit tender and what it means for apartment buyers, about the full history of E1 from 1994 to today, and about the official timeline for the start of infrastructure and construction work. For a broader picture of the real estate market in the entire area, you can also review the current listings of apartments for sale in Ma'ale Adumim and the general Ma'ale Adumim area page.
Want to Learn More About the Opportunity in E1?
Merkaz HaNechasim Ma'ale Adumim closely follows every stage of the E1 project's progress, and guides clients who want to understand the opportunity in depth – whether for a first apartment purchase or a long-term investment. Visit the full project page and contact us for free, personal advice.