Channels

Cornerstone ceremony in Efrat
Photo: Gil Yohanan

492 units to be approved in settlements

Civil Administration to publish list of 84 buildings approved for construction despite settlement construction freeze, according to instructions by political echelon approved months ago

Building – despite the freeze: The head f the Civil Administration will publish a list of 84 West Bank buildings which were approved for construction by the political echelon.

 

The foundations of these buildings have yet to be laid, but will built according to this permit, despite the construction freeze in West Bank settlements. These buildings will include 492 housing units.

 

The list of structures to be built was approved in the summer and no changes have been made to it. It includes construction in the following settlements: Har Gilo in Gush Etzion (149 units), Alon Shvut (12 units), Modiin Illit (84 units) Givat Ze'ev (76 units), Kider (25 units) Maskiot (20 units), and Ma'aleh Adumim (89 units).

 

In addition, the defense minister approved the construction of an extreme sports park in Ariel, and plans for the construction of a new school in Har Adar have been put forward.

 

According to the cabinet's decision to freeze construction in settlements, exceptions were agreed upon. Article 5 of the decision states: "The head of the Civil Administration is entitled to permit the construction of a limited number of public buildings (education and other vital public needs) according to a ruling by the prime minister and defense minister."

 

In addition, it was decided that a three-member claims committee including representatives of the Defense Ministry, the Prime Minister's Office and the Finance Ministry, be formed. The committee is to be headed by a person trained to be appointed a justice of the peace.

 

The committee will hear claims made by anyone directly affected by the suspension of construction as a result of the order issued by this decision, as well as appeals by people whose requests for exceptional construction were denied by the Civil Administration.

 

Meanwhile, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being backed by many of his party members, Defense Minister Ehud Barak will only be meeting with two settler representatives in the matter.

 

Roni Sofer contributed to this report

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.02.09, 20:11
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment