The Knesset Subcommittee for the Defense Budget on Tuesday rejected a request by Defense Minister Ehud Barak for millions more shekels to hire 40 enforcers tasked with making sure Jews don't build new homes in Judea and Samaria.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November ordered a 10-month freeze on new construction in Jewish settlements as an incentive for the Palestinians to resume peace negotiations.

But committee lawmakers noted that no one is doing anything about illegal Arab construction on what are technically "disputed territories."

"While the Palestinians build illegal villas undisturbed, Barak is busy trying to get funding for supervising the draconian freeze order [against Jews] of all things," said MK Uri Ariel at Tuesday's hearing. "The committee did the right thing when it rejected his request."