Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz announced that a part of his master infrastructure plan to improve the nation’s roadways is a paved road to connect Kiryat Arba to the Ma’arat HaMachpelah in Chevron. Speaking with Arutz-7, the minister explained he also is moving ahead with his master plan that addresses the need for roads in the Galil and Negev areas, part of the government’s decision to prioritize those areas, to attract Jews in order to combat the Arab demographic realities in those areas.

He stated that for him, the ability to reconstruct the way connecting the “Derech HaAvos and Imaos”, the road between Kiryat Arba and Chevron is a privilege. He explained that over 400,000 visitors arrive there annually, and this demands a proper and safe roadway to permit easier access.

Asked to comment on the reaction of the PA (Palestinian Authority) to Sunday’s cabinet decision to include the Machpelah in the new list of national heritage sites, Katz called Abu Mazen’s words “chutzpah”, adding he is simply mistaken if he thinks that Israel will abandon the Machpelah in any agreement with the PA.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)