Saying one thing and doing another

Netanyahu repeatedly declares commitment to develop settlements, yet no building permits in sight; Shomron threatens unprecedented protest.

By Mordechai Sones, INN

The heads of the local councils in Judea and Samaria are waiting expectantly for the fulfillment of a promise made by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in recent weeks that during the holidays plans will be approved to build thousands of housing units in Judea and Samaria.

In practice, it appears that the quiet settlement freeze in Judea and Samaria is continuing in a time when there is an American administration sympathetic to Israel.

The issues to be discussed by the Supreme Planning Council of the Civil Administration, where decisions are made regarding construction and development of the road system in Judea and Samaria, were to be published today,

The leaders of the communities received preliminary messages from political sources according to which many significant issues would not be raised for discussion preventing their approval.

Among other things, there is serious concern that Prime Minister Netanyahu will not facilitate approval for the community of Rehalim, which has been delayed for 25 years, as is the case of Negohot in the Hevron Hills. In addition, Netanyahu is giving up – for the time being – on establishing new industrial zones and construction plans in the communities of Tzofim and Etz Efraim.

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Netanyahu also does not intend to allocate the necessary budgets for security equipment improvements for Judea and Samaria communities, security components that were presented as essential by the defense establishment.

The head of the Shomron Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, does not intend to let ths pass by silently. Dagan informed Prime Minister Netanyahu that he would lead an unprecedented protest against him immediately after the holidays.

“We do not build communities with words and words do not build roads,” Dagan said. The communities in Judea and Samaria will no longer suffice with battles against uprooting, 20 years after Oslo and the expulsion from Gush Katif and northern Samaria,” Dagan said. “The time has come for a national government to build Judea and Samaria and not talk about Judea and Samaria.

“Freezing road construction in Judea and Samaria and stopping funds transfers promised to security forces whose job is to stop terror such as the Salomon attack are a reward for terrorism that murdered the Henkin, Shvo, and Fogel families. The construction freeze in Samaria is a violation of the trust of the residents in this government.”

The head of the Shomron Regional Council plans to set up a protest tent opposite the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem. “The 50th anniversary of the liberation of Judea and Samaria is not just an invitation to celebrations, it is an invitation to build in communities and to build roads. The construction freeze and the freezing of roads in Judea and Samaria will be met with an unprecedented protest against the Prime Minister,” he said.