Israel's confusing policy on construction in Yesha continues to confound observers and homebuyers. The Israel Lands Authority, headed by none other than Minister Ehud Olmert, has approved 533 construction starts in four communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Har Gilo, just south of Jerusalem, will gain 200 units, while Har Adar and Adam, both on the other side of the capital, will be the site of 101 and 134 new homes, respectively, and Emanuel - a hareidi community in the Shomron - will build 98 new units.
In the Yesha community of Alfei Menashe, just over the Green Line in the western Shomron, 76 housing plots have been sold in the past four months. Shraga Weissman of Ashdar Real Estate says that 60% of his clients who purchased in Alfei Menashe come from nearby areas, including Kfar Saba and Raanana, and have decided to move to Samaria. Alfei Menashe is located five kilometers east of Kfar Saba, and is home to approximately 1,400 families.
In other Yesha news, Defense Ministry advisor Baruch Spiegel told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee today that 82 out of 104 "unauthorized outposts" have been dismantled since Prime Minister Sharon took office in March 2001. Most of the 82 were not populated.
In the Yesha community of Alfei Menashe, just over the Green Line in the western Shomron, 76 housing plots have been sold in the past four months. Shraga Weissman of Ashdar Real Estate says that 60% of his clients who purchased in Alfei Menashe come from nearby areas, including Kfar Saba and Raanana, and have decided to move to Samaria. Alfei Menashe is located five kilometers east of Kfar Saba, and is home to approximately 1,400 families.
In other Yesha news, Defense Ministry advisor Baruch Spiegel told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee today that 82 out of 104 "unauthorized outposts" have been dismantled since Prime Minister Sharon took office in March 2001. Most of the 82 were not populated.