In 2006, the government suspended construction in the town.
The Ministry of Housing and Construction is promoting a 700-unit residential project in Betar Illit, after a two-year hiatus. Betar Illit, located in Gush Etzion south of Jerusalem in the West Bank, is a haredi (ultra-orthodox) town founded in 1988 that currently has 30,000 residents.
In 2006, the government suspended construction in the town causing an uproar among haredi sects. The last project built in the town was by now bankrupt Heftsiba Ltd.
In recent weeks, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has announced the construction of scores of housing units in Ariel, Elkana, and Givat Zeev. The building plan has aroused the ire of the Palestinians and openly challenged the Bush administration.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 4, 2008
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2008