The Knesset passed a bill, Monday, to give tax credits on contributions to public institutions which encourage settlement activity throughout the land of Israel. In the interest of equality, the word "Zionist" was removed from the amendment to the tax code.
In welcoming passage of the measure, Chairman Ze'ev Elkin of the ruling coalition and the Likud faction said, "To encourage settlementis nota dirty wordandit is important that the state of Israelpass a law benefiting those who donate tosettlement activity.It's a pity thatfactions, such asLabor, which championed the issue ofsettlementin the past, refusedto uphold a lawthat will helpcommunities in the Negevand the Galileeonlybecause of fearthat the lawwill alsoencourageconstructionin Ma'aleh Adumim,Gush EtzionandAriel."