Attias: Palestinians need to accept building

Shas Minister says a deal was never made that would prevent building, encourages construction in east Jerusalem neighborhoods.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Ariel Atias 88 224 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Ariel Atias 88 224
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Construction and Housing Minister Ariel Attias told reporters that direct talks now depend on the Palestinians, on his way to Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef's succa on Tuesday.
"If they accept our terms, we'll go ahead," Attias said. "If they accept building [in the West Bank], we'll continue."
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"There was never a deal that has anything to do with building in the settlements," he explained.
Attias also said that building should begin incrementally, and that it should focus on neighborhoods in east Jerusalem, such as Pisgat Zeev, Ramot and Ramat Shlomo. He added that the actions should be coordinated with the US in order to prevent provocations.
On Monday, after the moratorium on building ended, work began on hundreds of settlement homes.