New York bound. Netanyahu
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Cabinet: No settlement freeze debate before UN session
'We cannot sit idle while prime minister determines the fate of the settlements,' Habayit Hayehudi chairman Orlev says
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not bring up the settlement freeze issue for debate in Cabinet before he leaves for New York to take part in the UN General Assembly session, scheduled for September 23-24.
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Referring to the PM's decision, which was announced by Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser, one right-wing minister told Ynet, "The government's expanded forum should have discussed such an important issue today, particularly in light of the fact that some ministers are opposed to halting construction in the West Bank as part of the commitment to the US."
Hauser said in response that the matter will be discussed "when there is a clearer picture of what is going on. The faction heads are updated on the developments and are full participants in the decision-making process."
Habayit Hayehudi party called for an urgent meeting to be held this week following reports that Netanyahu was planning to scale down settlement construction.
"We cannot sit idle while the prime minister determines the fate of the settlements. We must decide how to act in order to oppose the vote" said MK Zevulun Orlev, Habayit Hayehudi chairman.
