The Israeli housing ministry issued a tender for 1,234 housing units in the E1 area between East Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, drawn from 3,401 units approved last August. France, Italy, Britain, and Germany issued a joint condemnation, with additional statements from Belgium and Britain; the UN secretary-general described the plan as an existential threat to a contiguous Palestinian state. Bids close 19 October, eight days before Israel's general election.