The cabinet ministers recently approved the establishment of five new settlements, “Mevoot Arad settlements,” north of the city of Arad. Three Meretz ministers decided to vote against the decision and an unusual loud confrontation developed at the cabinet meeting between Minister Tamar Zandberg and Minister Gideon Saar.
“You have a strong hatred for Jewish settlement, it’s sickening”
In hindsight of the decision to vote against, Saar told Zandberg: “You have a strong hatred for Jewish settlement, it’s sickening.” Zandberg replied: “Do not give me grades, what is this style? Disgust. We went completely crazy sorry to spoil the joy and blessings. To establish more settlements in the middle of the Negev.”
Musi Raz on the establishment of the settlements: “Serious harm to the residents of the Negev”
Earlier today, MK Musi Raz said of the proposal to establish new settlements in the Negev: “The proposal that will come up in the government today: to establish ten new settlements in the Negev, is contrary to all environmental, social, economic and planning logic. There will be serious harm to the residents of the Negev – Jews and Arabs alike. “
Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked said of the decision: “A historic and exciting decision that is of strategic and national importance that will give significant power to strengthen settlement in the Negev. This is an important step that reflects more than any diverse social planning policy that seeks to strengthen the periphery while encouraging new and young settlements. “The Zionist enterprise in all its glory. We continue to flourish the wilderness in the Negev and fulfill Ben-Gurion’s vision. This is a tremendous achievement and good news for the citizens of the State of Israel and for the Negev in general.”