Thousands Rally for Construction in E1

Over 15,000 people gathered in the E1 corridor between Yerushalayim and Maalei Adumim, at the demonstration organized jointly by some 30 different groups, according to Arutz Sheva.

Speaking at the event, Housing Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) declared that Israel would not surrender to pressure “no matter what its source” on halting building in Yehudah and Shomron.

Israel already succumbed to pressure and withdrew from Gaza, expelling 10,000 Jews from their homes, Ariel said, and the results speak for themselves. “Look at the missiles being fired at Be’er Sheva, Sderot, Ashkelon, and many other cities,” he said.

“We cannot surrender. The more we back down, the more they pressure us. As Housing Minister, I am declaring before the prime minister that we are here to ensure that you fulfill your promise to build here,” Ariel added.

“They are threatening us now with boycotts and demanding that we accept conditions that will damage our security,” Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin told the crowd. “We want to create a solid belt of settlement in Jerusalem, from west to east, and the Palestinians want to create their belt of settlement from north to south.”

“Someone will win in the end, and they are not prepared to surrender. We must overcome the Palestinians and build in E1. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said this,” Elkin reminded listeners, referring to past comments prior to taking office.

Rabbi Dov Lior of Kiryat Arba called for an immediate imposition of Israeli sovereignty on all of Yehudah and Shomron. “These lands belong to the Jewish people.”

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the February 14th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.