Betar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein is calling on the government to release all available apartments in the city and begin marking 1,000 apartment units, HaMevaser reports. Rubinstein explains the chareidi tzibur is in dire need of apartments, and the government mustn’t prevent those wishing to live in Betar to do so.

Rubinstein explains one must not agree with the current policy which stifles the growth of his city, in which construction is halted due to political pressure. He feels “a window of opportunity” has opened and the government must take advantage of it.

The city’s planning committee has recently met to discuss advancing plans for ‘Givah Gimmel’ which will include over 1,100 apartments of which 200 have already been advertised by the Housing Ministry.

Rubinstein adds the city has filed amended plans for the new hilltop neighborhood, containing many improvements which were derived from the vast experience derived from building the city’s existing areas. He explains the improvements are evident “in almost every parameter”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)