Hebron evictions cause political strife
The government's internal squabbles continue, as Bayit Yehudi and Likud members take aim at Ya'alon for evicting settlers in Hebron. 'I will not compromise on legal matters,' Ya'alon says in response.
In response, Ya'alon said: "The State of Israel is a lawful nation, and I have no intention of compromising when the law is broken. In the case of the homes in Hebron the law was broken blatantly. Several legal actions are required in order to enter a new home, none of which took place. That's why the invaders were evicted."
He called for ministers, MKs, and other elected officials to "act responsibly, to temper their statements, and to respect the rule of law – and not encourage taking the law into one's own hands and breaking it. That's a sure recipe for anarchy. Some politicians' behavior and statements on the subject border on complacency and harm the strength of our nation.
"Settlements are important to me and I work to aid them, but I will not compromise on legal matters," Ya'alon continued. "The claims regarding purchased homes will be examined, as will security and stately aspects of the matter, before their occupancy is approved. Those who work by breaking the law are not aiding the settlements, but severely harming them."
MK Bezalel Smotrich of the Bayit Yehudi party wrote on Twitter that "I have notified the prime minister that I will not be voting with the coalition until the Hebron settlers can return to the homes they bought legally and properly." Smotrich made a similar statement several months ago after a settlement home was evicted, but eventually capitulated.
Smotrich later added in another tweet: "Accuracy is important. We're not dismantling the government at all. We're absenting votes and preventing it from functioning until the homes are re-occupied. That's a big difference."
Smotrich and MK Yoav Kish (Likud), who are co-heads of the Knesset Land of Israel Lobby, stated: "There was and is no justification for evacuating the new homes purchased by Jews in Hebron. It would have been more proper to investigate the matter while they were living in the homes and not after evictions, while respecting the rule of law."
MK Smotrich was joined in his threats of not attending government votes by MKs Ayoob Kara and Oren Hazan of the Likud party. MK Hazan warned: "The coalition should not bring anything up for a vote next Monday.
"I informed the chairpersons of the branches in the Likud and Kiryat Arba that we've had our fill," Hazan added. "It is unacceptable for the defense minister to have his own private policy, especially during this wave of terrorism we're going through."
MK Hazan said that "what's happening now is a continuation of what I decried for a long time regarding the and security policies of the defense minister. It's clear that those who purchased a home with their money, can enter it whether it be in Tel Aviv or Hebron."
Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev (Likud) said: "Redeeming land in Israel is a blessed act, especially in the city of Hebron. The purchasers claim they bought the apartments in accordance with the law and if that is so they have the full right to move into those apartments. Settlement is an important Zionist act and we must continue and persist with it."
