The Prime Minister's Office announced Thursday evening that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is "examining the various proposals that have been presented to him, including the possibility of including Ashkelon and Ma'ale Adumim in the priorities map." Defense Minister Ehud Barak stated following his meeting with the prime minister that the "Labor [party] believes in the Galilee and Negev, as well as the border settlements," and "will seek to limit investments elsewhere."