Operations of agency, which serves government in Judea and Samaria settlement enterprise, were suspended in 2014 • Vote to resume Settlement Division’s work is unanimous • Minister Uri Ariel: It’s time to get back to working for the Israeli public.
By Shlomo Cesana, ISRAEL HAYOM
The government on Sunday unanimously voted to renew the activities of the World Zionist Organization’s Settlement Division, which were suspended in 2014.
An independent unit within the WZO, the Settlement Division has acted as an agent of successive Israeli governments in all matters pertaining to the Judea and Samaria settlement enterprise, and as such it is fully funded by the government.
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Uri Ariel, who led the move, noted, “Throughout its years, the Settlement Division didn’t just talk about Zionism — it pursued its realization. [The division] has founded hundreds of communities nationwide, and it’s time for it to get back to working for the Israeli public. That’s what it was formed to do.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the decision, saying the preparatory work done to facilitate the renewal of activities had been “very thorough, and it will allow the Settlement Division to optimize its operations.”
This should be a good step towards more building in Judah/Samaria.