The Ministerial Settlement Committee decided, over the objections of Deputy Premier Yigael Yadin today, to begin work on a new settlement in the Somaria district of the West Bank to be called Levona. At the same time, progress was reported on the construction of Djebil Kebir, the new site for the Gush Emunim settlers who must evacuate Elan Moreh soon in compliance with orders by the Supreme Court.
Levona was approved some time ago by the Ministerial Settlement Committee. But Yadin, leader of the Democratic Movement, said he opposed any new settlements in the occupied territories that were not essential to security. Defense Minister Ezer Weizman and Deputy Defense Minister Mordechai Zipori said there was no need to discuss Levona any further in as much as it has been approved.
But the committee agreed to Yadin’s request for further review in order to avoid a new debate. Yadin said he would exercise his right to appeal against the decision to proceed with Levona before the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee.
An official said today that the infrastructure at Djebil Kebir, now being called Tel Kebir, will be completed within two weeks, including the access road. According to the official, another 10 days will be required to erect the housing to receive the Elan Morech settlers. Lost Sunday, the Cabinet granted them a five-week extension to allow for completion of the work at Djebil Kebir which, it said, was delayed by bad weather.
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.
