Israel’s Housing Minister has come under fire from several Cabinet colleagues for his plans to build thousands of apartments in West Bank Jewish communities near Jerusalem.
Meretz ministers Shulamit Aloni and Yossi Sarid, along with Labor Party Minister Yossi Beilin, attacked Housing Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, who this week assured the leaders of the communities the planned building would proceed as scheduled.
Israeli media reported that Ben Eliezer had proposed approving construction of new homes in five existing settlements and one new settlement.
He is to present the proposal to a ministerial committee on settlement construction later this month.
The proposal calls for construction of some 6,000 homes in Maaleh Adumim, Givat Zeev, Betar, Alfei Menashe, Har Adar and a new settlement, Kiryat Sefer.
The reports drew angry reactions from Palestinians, who claimed that the proposed new construction would violate the Israel-Palestinian peace accords.
In addition, Israel has promised the United States to curb construction in the territories.
Israel and the Palestinians are slated to begin in May negotiations on a permanent settlement, including the status of Jerusalem and Jewish settlements in the territories.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
