Report: State supported illegal outposts
300-page report reveals government agencies provided services to unauthorized outposts in territories; demands made for criminal investigation
State-approved irregularities: Israeli governments permitted the establishment and maintenance of illegal outposts in the territories, a report submitted to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Tuesday says.
The report, which was drafted by Attorney Talya Sasson, who formerly headed the criminal department at the State Attorney’s Office, claims that for years Israeli governments have covertly assisted settlers to erect and uphold illegal outposts in the territories.
The 300-page report reveals an institutionalized and systematic method used to provide routine services and maintenance to unauthorized settler outposts.
According to the report, numerous government agencies were involved in the process, such as the Defense Ministry, the IDF, and the Finance and Housing Ministries.
'They should not look for scapegoats'
Interior Minister Ophir Pines-Paz called for Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to launch a criminal police investigation to examine the illegal aspects of the activities of the government offices and employees mentioned in the report.
“The attorney general must do something that would make it clear Israel would not tolerate a situation whereby its employees break the law in an effort to thwart its decisions,” he said.
Knesset Member Uri Ariel (National Unity) called for Mazuz to investigate Sharon’s involvement in the establishment of illegal outposts.
“They should not look for scapegoats such as the division for settlement,” he said. “The prime minister was aware of all the developments; he supported them (the settlers) the entire time.”
Knesset Member Haim Oron (Yachad) said the report “confirms claims that were made throughout the years and were denied by ministers, general directors, and the prime minister, while the public was mislead.”
'Israel must remove all illegal outposts'
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom during a meeting in the U.S. that Israel must remove all illegal outposts and implement all committments agreed upon at the Sharm summit.
In response, Shalom said Israel had already removed more than 90 outposts and pledges to uphold its obligations.
