Israel adds settlements to priority map

JERUSALEM, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The Israeli Cabinet Sunday approved a new national priority map that includes 15 West Bank settlements.

The map, last updated about four years ago, entitles towns and villages on the list to receive immediate funds and government benefits for housing, education, culture, security and infrastructure, Haaretz reported.

"There is one place that is always at the top of our priorities -- our capital Jerusalem. Jerusalem is entitled to all of the plan's benefits that other communities get and more," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was quoted as saying at the outset of the weekly Cabinet meeting.

A total of 90 settlements appear on the list of more than 600 towns and communities eligible for benefits, Ynetnews.com reported.

The government said the decision to include more settlements was linked to security needs and not to any policy to expand settlements.

Four ministers, including Justice Minister Tzipi Livn, abstained from voting. They accused the government of promoting political needs at the expense of the peace process.

Communities added to the new map include Eshkolot and Negohot in the southern Hebron Hills as well as Rehelim, Sansana and Bruchin, which until recently were considered illegal outposts, Haaretz said. Also added to the priority list are Nofim, Geva Binyamin, Ma'aleh Michmash and Elon Moreh. Other communities included on the list were those populated by settlers who lived in Gaza before the 2005 disengagement.