'Politics won't allow it.' Settlement building (archives)
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Settlers: Damage caused by construction freeze is long term
Leaders of Jewish communities in West Bank say only a few hundred housing units will be built in months after moratorium expires; 'law of supply and demand also apply to settlements,' they say
The settler leadership in the West Bank said that initially only a few hundred housing units will be built once the construction moratorium expires on September 26, Ynet reported Tuesday night.
One leader said the "damage" caused by the freeze will be mitigated only in the long term. "Estimates by left-wing organizations' saying the construction of about 2,000 housing units will be approved if the freeze ends entirely are fairly accurate, but it won't happen immediately. This process will take some time," he said.
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"The coming months will see the construction of only a few hundred housing units."
Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan told Ynet that most of the construction will take place in the large settlements, such as Ariel, Efrat and Kiryat Arba.
Settler leaders say once local authorities are given the green light to issue building permits, construction will return to its normal pace of about 2,000 to 3,000 housing units a year. However, one of them added, "the law of supply and demand apply to the settlements as well."
Dayan said he hopes the Israeli government will implement the decision to resume construction throughout the West Bank.
"Theoretically, there may be a decision to continue the moratorium, but the political reality won't allow it," he said.
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