Ministers delay freeze compensation plan

The Ministerial Committee on Legislation agreed on Sunday to delay by two weeks a decision on a bill that would set the criteria to compensate contractors and home owners who have lost money as a result of the 10-month moratorium on new settlement construction.
The panel said it needed more time to consult with representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office as well as with the parliamentarians who have already authored a bill on the subject, MKs Danny Danon (Likud) and Uri Ariel (National Union).
Although a compensation committee already exists within the DefenseMinistry, it has no set criteria by which to award damages. Danon andAriel have said that if no action is taken, they will turn to theKnesset to legislate the matter. It possible that the plenum coulddebate the issue on Wednesday, although no decision is expected as aresult.