Government backs cellular companies
In majority vote, government rejects Interior Minister's proposal to provide public right to object to cellular companies placing antennas
Pines-Paz’s proposal is based on recommendations made by the National Council for Planning and Construction.
In a sweeping majority, nine ministers voted to establish a new committee comprised of director generals to reevaluate the situation and present its findings to the government within one month.
Only four ministers - Pines-Paz, Environmental Minister Shalom Simhon, Tourism Minister Abraham Hirchson and Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz - voted against the decision.
“The government’s decision to establish a committee of director generals is a farce, and its validity and legality is doubted,” Pines-Paz said. “The government made a decision that contradicts Attorney General (Menachem Mazuz), the local authorities and the public's view, a view that would boost the chance of mending the existing improper situation.”
'Pressured by cellular companies'
Environmental group Adam Teva V’Din issued a statement following the government’s decision.
“What do we need a committee of director generals for? What can it decide that hasn’t been decided until now?” a spokesman for the group said. “What we have here is a majority of ministers who have surrendered to pressures placed upon them by the cellular companies.”
Environmental Minister Shalom Simhon, a supporter of Pines-Paz’s proposal, said he plans to ensure the cellular companies would not use the month-long interim period to their advantage.
“The Environmental Ministry will take all administrative means the law provides to conclude a thorough investigation before approving the cellular companies' requests to place new antennas,” he said.
Simhon said that during the interim period he would not approve the placing of any new antennas.
