Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday morning 6 Nissan report that at present, there is no understanding between Israel and the Trump administration pertaining to construction in Yehuda and Shomron but nevertheless, Israel will honor a request from President Donald Trump, taking significant measures to limit construction in yishuvim to permit advancement of peace efforts. In line with the decision, construction will take place inside current communities whenever possible.

Should this not be the case, in communities where this is not possible due to legal, security or topographical realities, construction will take place as close to current construction as the situation permits. Israel will not permit the establishment of new outposts. As for the expellees of Amona, the community will be rebuilt inside the legal boundaries of Shilo.

While this may satisfy the White House, condemnation can already be heard from Europe and the United Nations, which have condemned the cabinet decision.

In addition to the UN, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson condemned the policy decision, which he calls a unilateral one that is contrary to international law and the vision of two nations for two peoples.

Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan told the media he and his colleagues will do their utmost to continue construction, adding “the government that does not cease the historic opportunity [to build] has no moral or political right to exist”.

Dagan calls on the administration to build, adding “if this does not occur, there will not be a government”, perhaps hinting the Bayit Yehudi party will break from the government if widespread construction does not begin in areas of Yehuda and Shomron following the years of the construction freeze during the Obama administration.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)