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NEWS
Peretz Upholds Order to Expand Beitar Illit
by Tzvi Sofer
Despite recent announcements by Defense Minister Amir Peretz
he would "reassess" expansion orders for Jewish communities
beyond the Green Line, Peretz does not plan to cancel the
orders. One day earlier Central Headquarters Commander Gen.
Yair Naveh signed an order authorizing the expansion of the
city of Beitar Illit by 500 dunams (125 acres), thereby
connecting the city to the Green Line. Several weeks ago
Naveh approved the expansion of Maskiot in the Jordan Valley,
Oranit on the Green Line in the Sharon Region and Givat Zeev
in North Jerusalem.
The expansions took place after receiving approval from top
governmental officials, including former Defense Minister
Shaul Mofaz and PM Ehud Olmert, who gave his consent three
weeks before the elections. While the expansion of the three
smaller communities was authorized by Mofaz, the military
decree authorizing the expansion of Beitar Illit was signed
only after Peretz took office.
After final approval for the four settlement blocs became
public, Peace Now launched a media campaign against the
expansion of the communities, calling it a "scandalous"
decision intended "to thwart diplomatic progress."
Although Peretz opposes settlement expansion, a spokesman
said these moves began under Mofaz and "next time, when
proposals for orders of this type come before the current
Defense Minister, he will follow a different course of
action."
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