Jerusalem - Israel will continue developing touristic places in the West Bank despite the government decision to freeze settlement activities for 10 months, Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov said Saturday. "The freeze of the constructions in the West Bank represents a diplomatic achievement that Israel should use to its advantage in the international arena," Misezhnikov said at a cultural event in the city of Holon, south of Tel Aviv.
"It must be emphasized that the exclusion of East Jerusalem and construction of public buildings from the freeze allows us to support the move," he said.
Misezhnikov specified three main areas where construction would continue despite the freeze agreement: the stalactite cave in the settlement of Ariel, the Herodium National Park in Gush Etzion, and Qasr al Yahud - Jesus' baptismal site in Ma'ale Adumim.
The minister's comments came a day after Defense Minister Ehud Barak authorized the construction of 28 new public buildings in West Bank settlements.
Late Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a 10- month moratorium on construction in the occupied West Bank which applies to residential buildings only - excluding East Jerusalem as well as some 3,000 apartments currently under construction.
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