Responding to heavy criticism for announcing the construction of 1,600 new homes in Jerusalem’s Ramat Shlomo neighborhood during a visit from United States Vice President Joe Biden, Interior Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) said Wednesday that the timing was simply a technical matter, which was not discussed with him or with other senior ministry officials.
Yishai expressed regret for the timing of the decision, adding that he had no intention of insulting the United States. Still, the minister made clear that he does not plan to cancel the building plan as the government’s ban on Jewish building in Judea and Samaria does not apply to Jerusalem.
Yishai expressed regret for the timing of the decision, adding that he had no intention of insulting the United States. Still, the minister made clear that he does not plan to cancel the building plan as the government’s ban on Jewish building in Judea and Samaria does not apply to Jerusalem.