Yaakov Katz, a former MK and one of the fathers of the modern settlement movement in Yehuda and Shomron released a statement acknowledging the “Siyata Dishmaya” that has led to so many people living in communities “over the Green Line”. Katz explains that according to official state numbers, there are 396,818 citizens living in these communities as the end of June 2015. He adds that in addition to the 400,000 citizens mentioned, there is an additional 400,000 living in eastern areas of the capital and the Golan Heights, bringing the total number of Israelis “over the Green Line” to an impressive 800,000.

The breakdown is as follows:

· Living in cities and local municipalities – 260,954

· In Gush Etzion – 22,717

· Hebron Hills – 7,502

· Jordan Valley – 6,265

· Shomron Regional Council – 35,580

· Binyamin Regional Council – 62,800

Katz adds “Despite the mesirus nefesh by settlers involved in avodas kodesh, Netanyahu and Ya’alon who are responsible for the building freeze have not merited to have the yishuvim carry their names”.

“In the history books of Eretz Yisrael it will be recorded that despite the years during which Netanyahu served as prime minister and he did everything possible to prevent construction in Eretz Yisrael, implementing a building freeze on Jews only, Am Yisrael has succeeded with mesirus nefesh to build an impressive number of homes, and to bring thousands of families to these communities, and to work to keep them in the hands of the State of Israel”.

“This includes Bayit Yehudi with its lack of concern regarding the destruction of homes in Beit El and other locales in Yehuda and Shomron will lose a great deal more of its power. Bayit Yehudi must announce if a solution to the planned destruction of the buildings in Beit El is not found it will leave the coalition”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)