Amir Peretz
צילום: עופר עמרם
Peretz, settler leader discuss outpost evacuation
Defense minister, top settlers meet to discuss future of illegal outposts. Settlers hope evacuation of 10 outposts will legalize dozens more
Defense Minister Amir Peretz met with top Yesha Council member Ze'ev Hever to discuss the possibilities for their peaceful and coordinated evacuation from the West Bank.
The meeting was held Tuesday at the defense minister's office and at his request. Sources within the Yesha Council told Ynet that the two did not delve into details and only spoke in general terms. The same sources said that "the ball is in the hands of the defense minister and the Yesha Council will listen to any idea he raises." The sources also said that it is also in the best interest of the army to avoid a forceful evacuation of the outposts.
People within the Yesha Council hope that if there is an agreement to voluntarily evacuate about 10 illegal outposts, the state will legalize the rest of the outposts. This was the first meeting on the subject, and if the negotiations continue, more people from the Yesha Council will meet with the defense minister. During the Sukkot holiday IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz met with Hever at his home in Kiryat Arba, but the issue of illegal outposts was not discussed.
"Peace Now" chairman Yariv Oppenheimer responded by saying that "the meeting is like the policeman meeting the head thief. It is inconceivable that that despite Peretz's promises to evacuate all 100 illegal settlements, a compromise is being brewed that will effectively legalize dozens of settlements in the West Bank."
