News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) A three year old plan to expand Kibbutz Palmahim and build 130 new residences to house evacuees from Gush Katif was approved on Sunday by the Central District Planning Commission, Haaretz reported. Barring any court petitions, building permits will soon be issued.

Heavy opposition from environmental groups is expected to continue because the construction is close to the Mediterranean coast. The commission said it rejects the objections because most of the buildings will be at least 300 meters from the coastline, and that the construction will only be on land already approved for housing.