Minister (Likud) Dan Meridor toured visited Efrat on Tuesday, where he announced he feels that after the 10-month construction freeze runs out, Israel must immediately resume building, but only in areas where the future is guaranteed, a clear statement of his opposition to continued construction in most communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron.

Meridor, a member of the inner Forum of Seven Cabinet, a Likud prince who left the party years ago for a political future in the Center Party, which collapsed, and once again returning to Likud for the lack of a better offer, has become a right-wing centrist, or leftist according to some, despite his firm revisionist roots.

Efrat Mayor Ofir Revivi questioned why no new homes have been approved in the city for about decade despite statements from this and pervious administration that Gush Etzion is part of the “consensus” and as such, will remain in Israeli control even after a final status agreement with the PA (Palestinian Authority). The mayor laments the absurd waste of funds, government money invested to build infrastructures in neighborhoods of Efrat such as Zayit, but those infrastructures remain dormant, since there is no construction being approved. Such waste amounts to 40 million shekels according to Revivi, and if Meridor has his way, those areas including Zayit will remain barren, since he feels there should be no construction in controversial areas.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)