The heads of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria refused a request by Defense Minister Ehud Barak to meet with him in his office on Thursday.
Reiterating a decision made Wednesday, the members of the Yesha (Judea and Samaria) Council said in a statement, "The Defense Minister has, for a very long time, harrassed the Jews who live in Judea and Samaria, even before the decision to approve a building freeze was announced. He has even refused to approve construction of classrooms and nurseries for toddlers."
"The right person for us to be meeting with is Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, the one who decided on the freeze, and who broke his election promises to those who voted for him. We have forwarded many requests to meet with him, but they have not been answered even once since he took office."
"For these reasons we have decided not to accept the Defense Minister's invitation," the Council explained.
Council Convenes Twice
Council members are slated to meet Thursday afternoon in Jerusalem for a second session, following an initial emergency meeting held Wednesday night to determine a response to the 10-month construction freeze announced by the prime minister.
Chaired by Council Chairman Danny Dayan and Likud MKs Danny Danon and Tzipi Hotobeli, Wednesday's session focused primarily on ways to raise public awareness of the dangers presented by the freeze. A public relations campaign combining pressure on cabinet ministers, Knesset Members and coalition members, along with demonstrations and sit-ins, were among the recommendations presented at the meeting.
Remembering Joseph's Tomb
Samaria Regional Council head Gershon Mesika also sent a letter to every cabinet minister and the prime minister, demanding that a Jewish presence be resumed at Joseph's Tomb, close to Shechem, immediately. Mesika said the Samaria Regional Council would provide technical and strategic support for the move.
The decision made by the Security Cabinet to freeze all new residential building permits and halt all new residential construction starts in Judea and Samaria must still be ratified by a Cabinet vote on Sunday.