Minister of Housing (Shas) Ariel Atias announced to the media last week that the current administration agreed to a construction freeze throughout Yehuda and Shomron in the interest of advancing the diplomatic process with the PA (Palestinian Authority). The construction freeze also impacted areas of the capital, which are viewed as “occupied” by the international community.

Nevertheless, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) failed to take the step forward. As such, Israel and the PA failed to resume negotiations towards a ‘final status’ agreement. He pointed out that not only has Abu Mazen worked to advance the diplomatic process, he ignored Israeli appeals not to move ahead with his unilateral move to seek non-member nation observer status in the UN, and while he achieved his objective in the UN, he has widened the diplomatic chasm with Israel.

Atias’ statements followed a cabinet decision to begin the construction of thousands of badly-needed housing units in those areas. It appears that 3,000 new housing units will be planned, including the E1 area between Maale Adumim and Yerushalayim.

Atias also plans to move ahead with 1,000 new housing units in the Pisgat Ze’ev and Gilo, areas of the capital viewed by the international community as “occupied” despite being an integral portion of the northern capital and being home to tens of thousands of people. Atias explained the move will occur in the coming week(s), well-aware of the critical housing shortage that exists in the capital.

Other planned construction includes Karnei Shomron (200 units), Ariel (750 units), Givat Ze’ev (250 units), and Gush Etzion (600 units).

The decision to move ahead with the new construction in areas viewed by the international community as over the Green Line is Israel’s response to the PA’s move to the United Nations, which is a major step towards Palestinian statehood. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced that he remains a supporter of the so-called two-state solution, but stated this must be achieved as a result of direct talks between Israel and the PA and not by a unilateral process as the PA has done.

Minister of Diaspora Affairs Yuli Edelstein announced there is no conflict between Israel and the United as a result of the cabinet decision, citing the ongoing US support for Israel such as in Operation Pillar of Defense and in the PA vote in the UN; with the minister explaining these are two examples to exhibit the unique relationship that exists between Jerusalem and Washington.

According to a New York Times report, Edelstein’s statement is not entirely accurate, quoting President Barak Obama as being quite angered over the Israeli move. Joining in the condemnatory statements was former American Ambassador to Israel Dan Kurtzer, who stated “This is not just another few houses in Jerusalem or another hilltop in the West Bank. This is one of the most sensitive areas of territory, and I would hope the United States will lay down the law”, referring to the construction in the area known as E1, between Yerushalayim and Maale Adumim.

At the start of the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday 18 Kislev, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu added, “The response to the attack on Zionism and the State of Israel must reinforce and underscore the implementation of the settlement plan in all areas in which the Government decides regarding settlement.

“These are not my words. These are the words of the government of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and this is the language of the Cabinet’s 1975 decision in the wake of the UN decision that equated Zionism with racism. Today we are building and we will continue to build in Jerusalem and in all areas that are on the map of the strategic interests of the State of Israel.

“The Palestinian Authority’s one-sided step at the UN constitutes a gross violation of the agreements that have been signed with the State of Israel; accordingly, the Government of Israel rejects the UN General Assembly decision.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)