Interior Minister Aryeh Deri has appointed the steering committee which he hopes will escort the establishment of the new chareidi city of Shafir. The committee will be headed by former Shas Minister, MK Ariel Atias, with Deri citing as a former housing minister, he is more than qualified for the position. According to a Kikar Shabbos News report, the entire committee will be comprised of chareidi askanim.

Alongside Atias will be the CEO of Center for Holy Sites Yosef Schwinger, Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yossi Deutsch, Elad Deputy Mayor Tzuriel Krisfel, and Beit Shemesh Councilmen Moshe Muntag and Yeshayahu Ehrenreich.

During a recent meeting pertaining to the planned chareidi city, Deri stated “It is important from the planning stage to provide a halachic and diversified response to all of the issues involved in planning the city, such as the number of floors in high buildings and more”.

The interior minister added, “Shafir is the largest and most significant solution to the chareidi housing shortage, which also includes a roof agreement for development and public institutions, employment zones, and a reduced price in the form of a “price per occupant.”

“In this solution, there is an important statement that the chareidim public is also part of the struggle and the solutions to the problem of the national housing shortage.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)