United Torah Judaism MK Yaakov Litzman after checking into the matter reports that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is doing a number of Shas, explaining the prime minister has not unfrozen construction in Betar Illit as he promised Shas leader Minister Eli Yishai he would.

Litzman explained that Defense Minister Ehud Barak must sign such an order, and to date, he has not done so.

Shas released a statement that the construction will resume as promised, adding “it is preferable that Litzman bring us facts rather than exerting himself to grab media headlines.”

Litzman’s investigation reveals that Housing Minister Ze’ev Boim did indeed sign approving the construction of 286 new housing units but the final signature must be the defense ministers and he has yet to sign. As such he explained, the building in Betar remains frozen at present, despite statements to the contrary from Olmert.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)