“Contrary to previous reports, the government has not shelved the Prawer Plan,” Deputy Minister Ofir Akunis (Likud/Beitenu) said Monday, 20 Teves 5774.

Akunis said that on Wednesday Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is scheduled to hold a decisive meeting with Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir (Likud/Beitenu) on the bill to resettle nearly 30,000 Bedouin living in the Negev into already recognized villages.

Minister Shamir was appointed to replace former Minister Dr. Benny Begin as the person in charge of implementing the bill known as the Prawer Plan.

According to Akunis, the government plans to advance the legislation. ”The bill has not been annulled!” he said during a heated debate in the plenum on a number of no-confidence motions.

A heated exchange ensued between Akunis and MKs Basel Ghattas (National Democratic Assembly), Mohammad Barakeh (Hadash) and Zahava Gal-On (Meretz) who claimed that the bill should be withdrawn and placed in the ”garbage bin of history.”

In response, Akunis said ”a debate will be held on the bill, and it remains relevant. The majority will decide.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)