Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Interior Minister Aryeh Deri to discuss continued building in the chareidi sector. Mr. Netanyahu promised the Shas party leader that he will continue building in Betar Illit. The Prime Minister promised him this would occur, with Mr. Netanyahu reassuring Deri that he is well-aware of the critical housing shortage in the chareidi sector.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, 26 Teves, prior to Deri’s meeting with the Prime Minister, he lashed out at Mr. Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, accusing the government of continuing to discriminate against the chareidi sector. He explained that the chareidim make up about 40% of the Jewish population in Yehuda and Shomron and while there was talk of 2,500 new housing units, only 10% of the homes were approved in chareidi communities in Yehuda and Shomron. Deri said that in fact, some of the apartments are being marketed again so in essence, the real number is under 10%.

Betar Mayor Meir Rubinstein announced he received official word of the construction of 87 new apartments. He announced he welcomes any and every apartment being built, adding Betar is the largest municipality throughout all of Yehuda and Gush Etzion and announcing 87 of 2,5000 being allocated to Betar is an embarrassment.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)