Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon (Likud) said on Monday that he will personally ensure that there is Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria.
Speaking to Arutz Sheva, Danon said, “Anyone who is interested in legally approving building plans in Judea and Samaria is invited to speak directly with me, and we will promote the construction in Judea and Samaria. That is exactly why we were elected.”
“We are not being ruled by Ehud Barak and not by the left,” he added. “Our commitment to Judea and Samaria is clear, and we are committed to continuing construction in Judea and Samaria.”
Reports last week indicated that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu had met Housing Minister Uri Ariel and asked him to halt promotion of new projects in Judea and Samaria, including by no longer putting up for bids tenders on new projects.
Danon said at the time that he was not aware of any silent freeze on construction in Judea and Samaria.
In Monday’s interview, Danon also responded to a report in the Ma’ariv daily, which said that the Civil Administration is working diligently on advanced plans for establishing a new Palestinian Authority city near Jericho, which will be built at the expense of Jewish land in the Jordan Valley Regional Council.
Danon admitted that he is not aware of the plans, but said that he does not believe that the PA should be given any rewards so long as terrorism in Judea and Samaria and the PA’s incitement continue.
“What are they talking about? Giving a prize to the Palestinians today? I do not understand the logic behind it,” he said.
The Yesha Council responded on Monday to the report of the new PA City, saying, “This is the theater of the absurd.”
“The state of Israel is advancing programs for thousands of dwelling units in Area C [under Israeli security control -ed.] while there are wide sections of Areas A and B [under PA control -ed.] where they can be settled and they are stopping the tenders for building for Israeli settlement in Area C,” said the Yesha Council.
“We hope that the prime minister was not aware of these steps and expect that he will fulfill his promise from about half a year ago to put contracts out to bid in our cities and communities,” concluded the statement.
