Deputy Premier David Levy suspended publication and distribution of the Israel Atlas Monday on grounds that a paragraph on Jewish settlements in the administered territories violated the policies and decisions of the unity government.
Levy, who is also Minister of Housing and a leader of the Herut wing of Likud, took exception to a section written by Hebrew University professor David Amiran which stated that most of the settlements were established in Arab-populated areas in order to preclude any future territorial concessions. Amiran wrote further that this policy would lead inevitably to a bi-national state, contrary to the traditional goal of Zionism which is a Jewish State with a Jewish population entirely Jewish in character. Amiran challenged Levy’s right to dictate what should be published in the Israel Atlas. Nevertheless, the disputed section is expected to be revised, after which publication will be resumed.
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