Rightwing Union MK Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday issued an excited statement backing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to build about 700 housing units for Arabs who reside in Area C.
Under the Oslo accords, Area C is under complete Israeli control, regarding both security and civil issues. Over the past decade, the Palestinian Authority with massive assistance from the European Union has been erecting illegal Arab homes, schools and other civic structures. Now, as the Jewish Press Online reported on Monday (Netanyahu Promotes Plan to Build Homes for PA Arabs in Area ‘C’), Israel will take over this endeavor, alongside a promised 6,000 units for Israeli citizens in Area C.
Smotrich, who has been a major voice against the illegal Arab construction, on Tuesday congratulated the cabinet’s move, calling it revolutionary.
“For the first time, we are taking responsibility and formulate strategic government policy regarding Area C after 10 years of only Arab strategy,” Smotrich wrote, and ran down a list of benefits from the decision:
“1. Construction only for the Arabs who are the original inhabitants of Area C.
2. Building solely in a way that serves Israel’s security and strategic interests while undermining the other side’s strategic takeover efforts.
3. Formulating policies to curb the other side’s takeover, enforcing the law, demolition of illegal construction and reversal of land grabs.”
“I am delighted to share the credit with other ministers for turning the table and turning the ship’s wheel in this regard,” Smotrich stated, and thanked the members of the Regavim movement for their years of efforts to raise Israeli public awareness in this area.
“Persistence and determination bring influence and change,” Smotrich said.