Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat Jerusalem, 28 December 1998 Cabinet Communique At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 28.12.97: The Prime Minister opened the meeting by referring to the debate on the state budget. The Prime Minister said that he intends to make an effort together with the ministers and faction leaders to pass the ancillary budget and budget laws this week. The Prime Minister said that responsibility and goodwill by all parties will make this possible. The Cabinet decided to authorize the Defense Minister's recommendation to award civilian status to Nahal settlement Eshbal that was established in 1979. The settlement is located in the Misgav Regional Council north of the Sakhnin Valley, and south of Karmiel in the Galilee. The Prime Minister emphasized that settlement is a supreme Zionist value that the government encourages. The Cabinet began today its debate on land preservation policy based on proposals of the Minister of National Infrastructure. The Cabinet established a committee headed by the Prime Minister and including the Agricultural Minister, Minister of National Infrastructure, Interior Minister, a treasury representative and the Attorney- General to continue discussion on the matter.