The cabinet has given its approval for PA (Palestinian Authority) construction in an area ‘C’, which means it is under exclusive Israeli civil and security control. According to the Haaretz report, the approval was part of a number of gestures made to the PA about two weeks ago, immediately following Rosh Hashanah. About half of the ministers were absent from the meeting when the decision was made to vote on the gestures to the PA.

The decision was not publicized for obvious reasons, including an effort to avoid the reaction from settlement leaders.

The decision is part of the ‘carrot and stick’ program announced a few months ago by Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Ministers present for the meeting included PM Netanyahu, DM Lieberman, IM Deri, and Yuval Steinitz, Yoav Galant, Moshe Kahlon and JM Ayelet Shaked, with Shaked voting against it.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)