Ze'ev Hever - preparing the public?
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Defense Minister Peretz
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
Yesha council agrees to evacuate outposts?
Agreement over evacuation of illegal outpost in the West Bank is on table again and Yesha council is preparing groundwork. Late this weekend Yesha leaders wrote to their public, explaining talks with Defense Ministry: 'We seek to define the legal status of the outposts, and by doing so avoid a long, aggressive battle… we may have make changes in some of the outposts'
Is the Yesha council preparing its public for a consensual evacuation of illegal outposts?
In an editorial appearing in a newsletter handed out to synagogue goers Saturday evening the Yesha council writes: "We intend to try and settle the issue of the outposts through discussions around a table and not under police clubs. But if our outreached hand will be refused, we will be dragged into a struggle we wish not part of. If this is the case it will be resolute struggle, determined and just like never before." The approach is an attempt by Yesha leaders to make clear the logic behind the meetings with Peretz and security forces.
Earlier this week Defense Minister Amir Peretz met with 'Amana' chairman Ze'ev (Zambish) Hever. The two spoke of the outposts issue in Peretz's Tel Aviv office as per his request. Peretz recently ordered security forces to prepare for the possibility of a forced evacuation of several of the illegal outposts.
We may have to make changes
The Yesha council explains that for several months they have been calling the government to sit with them around the negotiation table to explain the legality of the outposts. According to Yesha however, their call fell upon left ear from both the right and the left. It would allow the majority of the outposts which were built "by right and with permission" to be annexed to the recognized and authorized communities.
"We ask to define, in a manner that will be deemed acceptable to both the residents and the government, the legal status of the outposts. This to prevent a long, aggressive battle," writes the council, "we are doing this with the conscious knowledge that in real negotiations on the issue we may have to make changes to some of the outposts."
