I would like to remove any doubts regarding the temporary and one-time
nature of this decision. This is a one-time and temporary decision, not a
freeze of unlimited and infinite duration

CABINET COMMUNIQUE
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)

At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 6.12.09

1. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the following remarks:

"Last Thursday, I met with leaders of the Jewish communities in Judea and
Samaria regarding the 25.11.09 Cabinet decision and listened to their
remarks. The decision was certainly not easy, either for them or for us.
It has to do with the heart of the homeland of the Jewish people. It has to
do with settlers, Israelis who are our brothers; they are part of us and we
are part of them.

The decision was made because we see it as serving broader interests,
perhaps the State of Israel's broadest interests. Today, it is clear even
to those who were unclear previously - those who want peace and those who
are currently acting as refusers of peace.

The State of Israel wants peace in the clearest possible sense. This was
made clear following the Cabinet decision. But I also know that this
decision is creating the same difficulties that the community leaders spoke
about, and we also hear this from the citizens themselves.

Indeed, there are difficulties that accompany this decision and there are
unnecessary difficulties that are not part of the decision, but stem from a
lack of bureaucratic and other clarity. Therefore, I asked to establish a
team along with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Minister Benny Begin, Cabinet
Secretary Tzvi Hauser and Coordinator of Government Activities in the
Territories, Maj.-Gen. Eitan Dangot, in order to eliminate the unnecessary
difficulties. Our intention is not to carry out new construction, but not
to halt existing construction. Our goal is not to place difficulties where
there is no reason to do so. This does not change the nature of the
decision. The team began to work last Friday. It is working today and will
work every day - and report to me on an ongoing basis.

I would like to make something else clear. This suspension is for its
stated timeframe - and not beyond. In the Cabinet decision, we made it
clear that upon the conclusion of the period of suspension, construction
will resume. In the meantime, ten days have passed and the time is limited.
Therefore, I would like to remove any doubts regarding the temporary and
one-time nature of this decision. This is a one-time and temporary
decision, not a freeze of unlimited and infinite duration.

The second important thing is that we must get through this together in the
best possible fashion. I say this not only to the community leaders and
those who live in the communities; I say this to MKs and ministers. Our
internal cohesion at this time is important - perhaps more important than
anything - and I request ministers' cooperation in implementing the decision
and in helping, to the best of their abilities, to get through it as easily
as possible, while upholding the law in the State of Israel."

2. Pursuant to its 22.11.09 decision, the Cabinet appointed attorney Yehuda
Weinstein as the next Attorney General, effective 1.2.10-31.1.16. The start
of his term is subject to completion of the usual procedures regarding
conflicts of interest and security clearance.

3. Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer raised the issue
of Israel's textile industry and said that he would - in a few weeks -
report on the outline being prepared by officials in his ministry to assist
textile industry workers.

4. Social Welfare and Social Services Minister Yitzhak Herzog and Social
Welfare and Social Services Ministry Director-General Nahum Itskovitz
briefed the Cabinet on the activities and goals of their ministry.

5. The Cabinet discussed the progress in the privatization of Israel
Military Industries, Ltd.

6. In continuation of its 18.10.09 decision, the Cabinet discussed the
rehabilitation of the Avdat National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage
site.

7. Pursuant to Article 31A of Basic Law: The Government, the Cabinet decided
to transfer to Minister Yisrael Katz the authority given to the Interior
Minister in Article 12B of the 1993 Local Authorities Law (Election
Financing).

8. The Cabinet appointed six people to the Government Names Committee. .