Silvan Shalom, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development and the Development of the Negev and the Galilee, visited the Tel Aviv "Hatikva" market Monday morning. Shalom explained to Israel National News TV that it has been his tradition for years to meet the merchants and buyers to hear their feelings about the situation in the country.
In the following video, Shalom relates to current events and states that the construction freeze must end as planned. The Palestinian Authority never before demanded such a freeze, explains Shalom, and if they stop the negotiations due to the renewing of building, this should be seen as merely an excuse.
Asked if he believes Prime Minister Netanyahu actually refused to continue the freeze as he was reportedly pressured to do by the Obama administration, Shalom says that Netanyahu has repeated his commitment that the freeze was a one-time gesture which will end as planned.