Labor party ministers and senior officials are calling on the government to redirect priorities, calling for a shift of funding from communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron to development communities, such as the Negev.

The ministers were prompted by an announced decision by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, to channel funding to a number of communities, including Alon Moreh, Tapuach, Har Bracha, and Itamar, all in Shomron, and Chevron, Kiryat Arba, El-David and Bat Ayin, in Yehuda.

The Laborites feel the funds would be better spent assisting development areas, since the future of the yishuvim is uncertain by all accounts. They feel it is not in the “national interest” to assist the yishuvim.

While the party ministers were critical of the move, party leader Defense Minister Ehud Barak defended the decision, explaining there are some considerations that led to the decision that are indeed legitimate.

Amir Peretz, a former Labor party leader and now a member of the ‘rebel faction’ that challenges Barak’s leadership was particularly outspoken in his opposition to the settlement funding, insisting the funds should be invested in Green Line development communities.

Other Labor officials warned the decision to invest in yishuvim will compromise ongoing peace-making efforts.

Science Minister Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz stated that both the yishuvim and the Negev are national priorities.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)