Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon does not appear interested in funding communities in Yehuda and Shomron. The senior minister on Thursday, 7 Menachem Av broke off funding talks with Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, with the latter being an avid advocate of assisting yishuvim in addition to being a resident of one.

Talks are ongoing for the 2017-2018 biennial budget and each ministry is required to make its pitch for a piece of the budgetary pie.

If Kahlon gets his way, NIS 12.7 million for security for yishuvim would be removed from the budget, which would leave yishuvim increasingly vulnerable to attacks.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)