During a visit to Yishuv Avnei Chafetz, Housing Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel told a crowd “I don’t understand residents of yishuvim who vote Likud. He explained that he does not believe the presidential mandate to form a government will necessarily be given to the head of the largest party and therefore, there is no reason to vote Likud.

“I was ordered by Netanyahu to freeze construction in Yehuda and Shomron” stated Ariel during his visit to the community on Sunday, 3 Adar. He also visited the nearby communities of Einav and Shavei Shomron which are in the same geographical bloc.

Ariel met with local and regional leaders, including Shomron Regional Council head Gershon Mesika.

When asked about ongoing construction delays, Ariel explained the key to solving this remains in the hands of the defense minister and the prime minister. He explained this is a “burning issue” which is not limited to Yehuda and Shomron, but Yerushalayim as well. “Jews can build anywhere, even in Damascus, but not here” the minister added.

Ariel reminded his audience that President Rivlin has stated four times that the presidential mandate to attempt to build a coalition will be given to the party with the best chances of success, and not necessarily the largest party.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)