The heads of the Settlement Council have refused a request from Defense Minister Ehud Barak, to meet with him on Thursday, an apparent response to the Wednesday decision announcing a 10-month construction freeze throughout Yehuda and Shomron.

Officials used the opportunity to express their anger regarding the long-standing policies of the defense minister, who has exhibited his disdain for the yishuvim and their inhabitants, ignoring the needs of the communities. The leaders added the person they seek to meet with is Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, to confront him after he broke a major election promise by implementing the construction freeze.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)