Likud Knesset Member Ehud Olmert slammed Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert over the violent evacuation in Amona, saying Olmert was interested in a confrontation at the illegal West Bank outpost in order to boost Kadima's position ahead of the upcoming elections.
Violent Clashes
Serious clashes in Amona; scores hurt / Efrat Weiss
Unprecedented clashes in Amona: Police officer sustains very serious head injuries during evacuation of illegal West Bank outpost. Troops clash with settlers, MKs Eitam and Eldad among those wounded
"There's no doubt that in this case we didn't see a level-headed approach by the prime minister," Landau told Ynet. "We saw someone who's looking for a confrontation…in light of an estimation it will help him in the elections. He did this on purpose. Now he must explain why he wanted a confrontation."
Landau said he was stunned by the difficult images from Amona.
"Those are very difficult images, and I think a smart statement should have thought about how to avoid them," he said. "Olmert is directly responsible…he wanted a confrontation at any price. He refused to accept all compromise offers by the settlers."
'Why did he do this now?'
The Likud MK also charged Olmert was seeking to divert the public's attention from Hamas' election victory by turning the settlers into enemies.
"If Olmert had only the rule of law in mind, he would treat everyone equally," Landau said. "The Palestinians build more than 1,000 illegal homes in the Jerusalem region every year. But he (Olmert) takes care of nine homes in Amona."
Landau noted Prime Minister Ariel Sharon did not rush to resolve the question of illegal West Bank outpost in order not to widen the national rift.
"Instead of holding a discussion about matters related to Hamas…all the cameras and media are focusing on the settlers in Amona. Why did he do this now? We saw that in Hebron it was possible to reach a deal. In Amona they (government) didn't want a compromise."
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