Following a meeting between Minister of Environmental Affairs (Likud) Ze’ev Elkin, MK (Yahadut Hatorah) Moshe Gafne, and Head of the Rechasim Council Rav Yitzchak Reich, and Director of the Housing Authority Avigdor Yitzchaki, agreement was reached to permit the continued construction of 1,600 apartments in Rechasim.

The agreement includes Elkin’s ministry withdrawing its objections and the planning and building process will resume in the hope a solution acceptable to all will be reached within a month.

Elkin a number of weeks ago announced objections to continued construction in response to complaints from environmental organizations, which claimed the planned construction in the city would result in irreparable environmental damage. Minister Elkin presented his objection during a Housing Cabinet meeting and no agreement was reached at that time.

The agreement that must be reached within a month is to demarcate and announce the boundaries of the community, a subject of controversy to date.

Also present during the meeting was CEO of the Israel Nature Authority Shaul Goldstein and architects from the office of Uri Vidan, who are preparing plans for the Ministry of Housing. Director-General of the Housing Ministry Mr. Eshel Armoni to create an inter-ministerial committee to advance construction in the community towards alleviating the housing crisis.

Armoni has visited the site of proposed construction and feels the city has significant potential towards alleviating the apartment shortage, and he feels a committee comprised of representatives of a number of relevant ministries would expedite the construction.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)