Coalition Chairman MK Ze'ev Elkin, a resident of Gush Etzion, told Arutz Sheva Thursday that he opposed the ten month freeze on construction in Judea and Samaria. “In the end, the freeze is on my home, too,” he noted. “I live in a caravan and am awaiting permission to build and it is clear to me that I will not receive it in the coming 10 months.”
"I understand the considerations of the prime minister,” he said, “and yet construction in Judea and Samaria is one of the Likud's top values. That is why I am in favor of continued construction even though we are talking about a short period. If I had to vote I would not support it.”
Elkin said that he would attempt to lessen the impact of the freeze. “As chairman of the Judea and Samaria Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, I will try to minimize the damage,” he explained. Elkin noted that certain educational buildings and synagogues have been approved for construction, yet Minister of Defense Ehud Barak refuses to sign the permits. Elkin said he would “exert maximum pressure” on Barak to sign the permits “so that there is a second side to the equation and not just one,” in his words.
Regarding the Knesset members who are trying to have the decision canceled through pressure on the government, Elkin said: “I have a disagreement with some of my comrades who are carrying out extra-parliamentary acts of protest that are not connected to this decision. I oppose any action that could lead to the dismantlement of the government. This is not the right way. We have experience that taking down the government leads to the rise of the Left. This is something I strenuously oppose.”