DPA/Jerusalem

Israel will continue developing tourist sites in the West Bank despite the government decision to freeze settlement activities for 10 months, Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov said yesterday.

“It must be emphasised that the exclusion of East Jerusalem and construction of public buildings from the freeze allows us to support the move,”Misezhnikov said at a cultural event in the city of Holon, south of Tel Aviv.

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.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a 10- month moratorium on construction in the West Bank which applies to residential buildings only - excluding East Jerusalem as well as some 3,000 apartments currently under construction.