Blow to the Orthodox • new national priority map: Beitar Illit and Harish out

Map of communities in national priority areas approved this morning (Sunday) in the government, with the addition of settlements but without Beitar Illit and Harish, Haaretz reported.

In 2009, for the first time, the government approved the list of national priority areas that the communities included in it are entitled to government support in a number of areas, including infrastructure, education, culture and security.

The list was expanded in 2012 and included housing benefits. Listed are communities of Judea and Samaria, development towns and the northern border communities and around Gaza.

Haaretz reported that the new list approved today by the government today 20 new cities will be added, about half of which are settlements, including Eshkolot and Negohot south of Hebron, and Rechalim, Sansanna and Bruchin considered unlawful outposts and trained before the election - by the government. Also Nofim, Geva Binyamin, Ma'ale Michmash and Elon Moreh are included in the list.

Also added to the list are settlements in which Gush Katif evacuees live since the disengagement plan, including, Beer Ganim, Neve Dekalim, Ganei Tal, Nezer Chazani and Chazan.

To the national priority areas will also be added communities – Kibbutz Alumot in the Jordan Valley, the community of Alon Hagalil, the secular- religious settlement Amaziah in Lachish, Kadita in the Upper Galilee, Shalva in the Negev and Mitzpe Ilan.

However expelled from the list is the city of Beitar Illit, where more than 40 thousand inhabitants live, most residents are orthodox.

Also removed from the list next to the city of Beitar Illit – is Efrat, as well as the city of Harish, designed to be an ultra-Orthodox city. However the town is now defined as a mixed city and is open to all populations.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!