Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has instructed advancing the construction of 1,000 housing units in areas of Yerushalayim viewed as “Israeli occupied” by the international community. This includes 600 units in Ramat Shlomo (Reches Shuafat) and 400 units in Har Choma. Undoubtedly the announced government plan will elicit critical responses and condemnatory messages from the European Union and the United States.

Channel 2 News reported the prime minister also ordered advancing plans for improved infrastructure in some areas of Yehuda and Shomron, explaining this is towards improving security in those areas.

The prime minister has summoned Ministers Naftali Bennett (Economy), Uri Ariel (Housing), Yisrael Katz (Transportation) and Yair Lapid (Finance) to meet with him on Wednesday 5 Marcheshvan to discuss the planned construction. Channel 2 adds that simultaneously, the prime minister and Bayit Yehudi party leader Naftali Bennett are in the midst of negotiations surrounding the possible construction of thousands of housing units in settlement bloc areas throughout Yehuda and Shomron. The Channel 2 report added that in return for moving ahead with the construction, the prime minister is receiving assurances from the dati leumi party concerning the coalition in the coming months of the winter session of Knesset. One may assume if this is accurate, Bayit Yehudi will not be a factor in blocking the controversial Giyur Bill if the latter is pushed though the Knesset, as is planned by Justice Minister Livni.

In the letter distributed to the ministers regarding the Wednesday meeting, Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mandelblit explains “infrastructure” in Yehuda and Shomron refers to water, public buildings, roadways, and a renewal project for the Ma’aras HaMachpelah. In addition, the government will decide which of the so-called outpost communities will be fathered in and viewed as legal communities. Regarding the Machpelah project, the work will also include the installation of an elevator for the disabled and elderly.

Regarding planned roadways, the construction includes the el-Aroub Bypass Road, Chawarah Bypass Road and emergency roads for the communities of Emanuel, Eli, and Karnei Shomron. A security road is planned for Ariel West as well as work on the road between Shilo and the Alon Road, lighting for Route 446 and more.

The category of ‘public buildings’ includes a promenade in memory of the three kedoshim H”YD, Eyal Yifrach, Naftali Frenkel and Gilad Shaar in Gush Etzion, the Yigal Alon Park in Alon Mamrei, and the Manhigut Park in Ariel. The meeting on Wednesday will address details of the projects including budgets and logistics.

Coalition partner Finance Minister Yair Lapid on Sunday night announced his opposition to any widespread construction in Yehuda and Shomron. He also opposes legalizing any outposts. He warns the plan as it stands we lead to a crisis regarding relations between Israel and the US as well as further isolating Israel in the international community. He is not opposed to construction in Yehuda and Shomron in line with services required to meet the natural growth of those communities. He warns any planned construction outside settlement bloc areas will elicit a harsh response from the international community.

Condemnations were also released from opposition parties; Meretz and Labor. Using her Facebook page to get the message out, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni called the planned construction “volatile and irresponsible”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)