The Knesset Finance Committee passed a proposal for zones of national preference in funding on Sunday as part of the Financial Arrangements package that will accompany the 2009-2010 budget. The proposal was different from the bill originally presented to the committee in that it included a number of criteria, such as a zone's defense situation.

Chairman Gideon Mesika of the Samaria Council said the changes prevented a mortal economic blow to Jewish communities in the area that could have been as bad as the Sasson report against unauthorized communities in Judea and Samaria.