Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., February 04, 2008 Shvat 28, 5768 | | Israel Time: 17:43 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

The Wadi Ara region. (Nitzan Shorer) Last update - 10:13 04/02/2008 Government moves to recognize Jewish town in Wadi Ara region By Zafrir Rinat, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: israel, israeli arabs  The government decided Sunday to formally recognize a controversial 35-family Jewish town in the largely Arab Wadi Ara region; environmentalists and two cabinet ministers are against the move. Environment Minister Gideon Ezra and the Society for the Protection of Nature (SPNI) oppose the existence of Ein Iron, which was unofficially established by religious Zionist families three years ago, saying it was built on protected land with unique environmental attributes. "The construction of a new town is expensive and will harm open land targeted for preservation," Ezra told the cabinet Sunday. He said the residents could expand the neighboring town of Katzir instead. Recent government policy has given preference to the growth of existing towns rather than the creation of new ones. Advertisement The High Court of Justice is due to hold a hearing this week on a petition filed by SPNI against Ein Iron. The attorney general has already said the town must be evacuated if it does not receive official approval. In anticipation of the hearing, the Prime Minister's Office and Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon recommended that the government give the town its official backing. Some ministers argued that if the Jewish families moved out, the town would turn into an Arab village. The government decision, which was also opposed by Science, Culture and Sports Minister Ghaleb Majadele, requires the approval of the various planning committees before it can go into effect. Related articles: Residents of unrecognized Wadi Ara village repave razed road Gov't committee calls for freeze in Wadi Ara demolitions 200 protested demolition orders in Wadi Ara unrecognized village More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us   60 years later The JNF is reportedly planning to commemorate demolished Palestinian villages. Mika and Amy Mika says he would like to work with Amy Winehouse on her 'Jewish album'.   1.   Expect US State Department voicing reservetions too 10:21  |  Absolute Sweden 04/02/08   2.   I`m Amazed 16:45  |  Norman F Birnberg 04/02/08   3.   If The Jews Were Moved To Sea, Construction Would Be Kosher 16:47  |  Norman F Birnberg 04/02/08   4.   Law and Order 17:33  |  Ethan 04/02/08   5.   Equality ? 17:39  |  Steve 04/02/08

Today Online One dead in suicide bombing in southern city of Dimona Responses: 192 Bradley Burston: This is how Islam ends Responses: 85 Terror attack was matter of time after Gaza border breach Responses: 47 Sources: Hamas gives Israel letter from Gilad Shalit Responses: 41 Palestinian reporter, W. Bank rabbi give PM, Hamas draft truce Responses: 36 Rosner's Domain When Jewish identity is "locked into the holocaust" (WTR) Obama, Clinton and Iran: The vote that made the difference Poll: Do you trust Obama on Israel? The campaign for Darfur has achieved all its goals - but one Not despite Iraq - because of Iraq More Headlines 17:38 Dimona bombers said to have entered via Egypt 15:00 Dimona mayor: Barak vows Egypt border fence to be built by 2010 13:41 Palestinians: PRC leader killed, 2 hurt in IAF strike on north Gaza 12:48 ANALYSIS: Terror attack was matter of time after Gaza border breach 12:53 Hezbollah warns Israel after IDF kills Lebanese across border 14:59 Vandals paint swastikas on Jewish graves in south Hungary 14:58 Egyptian forces detain Palestinian carrying explosives in Rafah 10:40 Iran TV: Tehran tests launcher for first homemade satellite 09:09 W. Bank rabbi, Palestinian reporter present PM, Hamas draft truce 11:03 Sources: Hamas gives Israel letter from Gilad Shalit 10:13 Government moves to recognize Jewish town in Wadi Ara region 09:25 New safety role to be created at Ben-Gurion International Airport Previous Editions Select Day 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan 27 jan 25 jan 24 jan 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan

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