MK Ze'ev Elkin
MK Ze'ev ElkinFlash 90

There is no legal obstacle that would impede the construction of hundreds of new homes in Beit El, MK Zev Elkin (Likud) said Tuesday, speaking to Arutz Sheva.

“This obstacle that legal sources tried to put up has been dealt with… There were difficulties, but ultimately there are those who were elected to set policy, and those who were chosen to advise,” he said.

Elkin met Tuesday morning with Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed, rabbi of Beit El, and local political leaders. The meeting took place as part of a government effort to reach an agreement with local leaders for the peaceful eviction of residents of the Ulpana neighborhood.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has promised a number of gestures in exchange, including the construction of new homes in Beit El and throughout the region.

Elkin urged residents of Beit El and their supporters to take the Prime Minister up on his suggestion. “I understand the anger and frustration. I myself fought for a different result. But now the goal is to get out of this as much as we can to strengthen settlement,” he said.

Reaching an agreement with the government would serve another goal as well, he said. “[It would] make it clear to all those who incite, and who think that the legal path will bring about the destruction of settlements, that this path will bring only blessing to the settlement enterprise.”