The Likud came to power proclaiming the right of Jews to settle in all parts of Eretz Israel. Settlement activities were carried out in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza region. The Prime Minister agreed to a three months freeze in settlement activity between 17 September and 17 December 1978. The United States was consistently opposed to the settlements. An issue that came up was the use of private land for the establishment of settlements. On one occasion local residents applied to the Israeli Supreme Court which ruled in their favour, and the settlement had to be removed. The following decision states that in future there will be no expropriation or seizure of private land. Text:
The cabinet today unanimously approved decisions concerning the allotment of land for existing settlements or those settlements whose establishment was previously decided upon in Judea and Samaria. For this purpose there will be no expropriation or seizure of private land whatsoever. The following are the particulars of the decisions:
1. The settlement at Givon will be established partly on land belonging to state and partly on land owned by Jews, which will be purchased from its owners for this purpose.
2. The settlement at Beit Horon will be established on state lands.
3. The settlement at Efrat will be established on state lands.
4. The settlements of Elkana and Kedumim will be expanded by additional of state land.
5. An inter-ministerial committee will be established which will examine the situation in the settlements of Ophra and Kedumim, and which will recommend solutions for their problems in the framework of government policy.