28/11/2009 Israeli Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov (Yisrael Beitenu) said Saturday that despite the cabinet's decision to temporarily freeze settlement construction, his ministry would continue to develop tourist sites in the occupied West Bank.
 
Speaking at an event in Holon, Misezhnikov said that the Israeli Tourism Ministry was focused on three central sites: The Herodium in Gush Etzion, Qasr al Yahud in Ma'ale Adumim and the stalactite cave in Ariel.
 
"The decision to freeze construction in the West Bank represents a diplomatic achievement that Israel should use to its advantage in the international arena," Misezhnikov said. "It must be emphasized that the exclusion of East Jerusalem and construction of public buildings from the freeze allows us to support the move."
 
During the same event, MK Daniel Ben-Simon (Labor) said "I support the freeze declared by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I will make sure that the Labor party will follow and monitor the implementation of this plan, therein lies the importance of the plan. This is a historic move and it should be supported. The entire Labor party should get behind this move."