Peretz: We'll use all means to clear outposts
Defense minister tells Central Command to evacuate illegal outposts as soon as possible 'as this has international and diplomatic implications'
Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Tuesday that Israel would work to clear illegal outposts as soon as possible.
"We'll work through all legal means to clear illegal outposts. We'll work as soon as possible on those areas that are disgracing the State of Israel," he told Ynet, adding that "illegal settlers do not add honor to the State of Israel."
Defense Minister Amir Peretz (right) with Chief of Staff Dan Halutz (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
The defense minister paid his first visit to the Central Command, accompanied by Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz and OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh.
Addressing the issue of illegal outposts, Peretz said: "We held wide-ranging talks on the issue of clearing outposts. I think that the State of Israel must uphold its laws, and this will be done as soon as possible. This issue also has international and diplomatic implications. It is also for the good of the illegal resident, as (living in illegal zones) does not give him honor, nor does it honor the general public."
Peretz also referred to the Palestinian population, saying: "We'll work to open crossings, we will enlarge them. We opened the Karni crossing and here (in the West Bank) we'll open crossings and boost the number of workers as much as we can."
Daily war on terror
The minister was received by the IDF's Honor Guard and heard a briefing on the West Bank and the daily war on terror among the Israeli and Palestinian populations that lasted two hours.
Peretz expressed his admiration for the activities of the Central Command, saying, "The Central Command is one of the most complex and significant centers. There are highly intensive activities here, daily, with the potential for a large explosion. The success of the Central Command in cooperation with the police and the Shin Bet brings operational results that merit admiration, and one example is the successful arrest last night of Ibrahim Hamed."
