Israel Approves Over 9,000 New Homes in Yehuda and Shomron

By Hamodia Staff

YERUSHALAYIM – The Israeli government approved the construction of over nine thousand new housing units in Yehuda and Shomron on Tuesday.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hailed the decision, saying: “This is an unprecedented achievement for the settlement movement. We made a promise and we are keeping it. After a year and a half that the residents of Yehuda and Shomron were discriminated against, the Israeli government approves 9,409 housing units.”

“By working together with the Prime Minister and his people, we brought an achievement that has not been equaled for many years. The residents of Judea and Samaria are not second-class citizens and the construction of houses, industrial and employment areas, and educational institutions are not a luxury – they are life itself,” said Smotrich.

The decision came on the same day that the U.S. and European countries condemned the retroactive legalization of 9 small outposts in the region.

The building approvals included about 1,100 units Ma’ale Adumim, about 600 in Tel Tzion, 500 in Givat Ze’ev and 400 in Kedumim and Elazar. Tenders are soon to be  published for another 2,377 in other towns in the region, according to Arutz Sheva.

The head of the Binyamin Council Yisrael Gantz thanked Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ministers Yoav Gallant and Smotrich: “We have loyal emissaries in the government for the State of Israel and the settlement of Binyamin, and we thank them and strengthen them in this way. There is still a lot of work to be done to continue the settlement and construction efforts.”

Yesha Council Chairman Shlomo Ne’eman commented: “After a difficult construction freeze, more than 9,000 housing units have accumulated for approval, including the plan for the regularization of over 400 housing units in the Netiv Havot neighborhood, in Elazar in Gush Etzion – a plan that was promoted after the demolition several years ago. Also, housing units in Kedumim that have been waiting for a long time, in the city of Ma’ale Adumim and in other settlements all over Yehuda and Shomron have now been approved.”