Defense Minister Ehud Barak is expected to authorize Monday the construction of 500 housing units within Judea and Samaria, most likely within established, large communities like Beitar-Illit and Modiin Illit. Barak said Sunday night that Israel should support the American initiative that will include normalization of relations with Arab countries and a preliminary arrangement with PA Arabs.

While meeting in Herzliyah with families whose children died in battle, Barak stressed that an arrangement of two countries that will put an end to the Israel-Arab conflict is an Israeli interest.