'Economic terror.' Electric pole in Hebron
Photo: Noam Arnon
Hebron settlers: Don't improve supply of electricity to Arabs
West Bank city's Jews say installation of high-voltage line serving Palestinian section 'absurd' in light of PA boycott of Israeli products
Representatives of the Jewish settlement in Hebron asked Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau to halt the installation of a high-voltage line meant to improve the supply of electricity to the Palestinian part of the West Bank city, Ynet learned Thursday.
"The new (high-voltage) line will not serve Kiryat Arab or the Jewish settlement, but cater to the needs of the Arab part of Hebron, which stretches across about 90 percent of the city. There is no (construction) freeze in that area and it is developing quickly," the settlers wrote the minister.
"The absurdity of this situation is evident. On the one hand, the Palestinian Authority declares a boycott of Israeli products, but at the same time it benefits from a massive amount of quality electricity provided by Israel. This electricity will be used to manufacture products that will help (the PA) intensify its economic terror," the Hebron Jews claimed.
Minister Landau's office painted a different picture, saying the high-voltage line will serve all of the city's residents – both Palestinian and Israeli. "We cannot discriminate between Jews and Arabs. The supply of electricity is a basic service that everyone has a right to enjoy," said the office.
The Israel Electric Corporation also dismissed the settlers' claims, saying the high-voltage line will supply electricity to the entire area.
