Netanyahu apologizes for imperfections of Amona compromise
During a forum of coalition party leaders, PM announces new draft Regulation Bill—borne out of a compromise with Bennett—will be brought before ministers on Monday; apologizes for ‘difficulties being felt by the residents,' urges ministers to act with restraint in difficult diplomatic time.'
After a prolonged political dispute between the prime minister and Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett—the chief advocate of construction in the West Bank—the latter compromised on Monday by agreeing to bring the bill before the Knesset without the inclusion of Clause 7 which demanded that a retroactive solution be found on the issue of Amona despite the fact that the courts had already ruled on the matter.
“I want to apologize to all those who were developing hope. We are working extremely hard in order to find a solution to Amona, and I believe that everybody who sits here understands the difficulties of the residents,” said Netanyahu at a Likud party meeting.
“The solution that we are reaching and intend to propose will enable the residents to stay on the mountain as a community. It is true that they will have to move but they will be able to stay in the area and this is extremely important news,” he continued.
“Aside from Amona, there are (other) Amonas. This is a question that irks us because the communities (in the West Bank) are important to us and that is why we are still looking (for a solution). I think that here also we are finding solutions that we didn’t have until today, in which everyone is within the law In order to solve this problem too.”
Repeating what he said in the Sunday’s cabinet meeting, Netanyahu went on to emphasize that the country is “in an extremely sensitive period from a diplomatic point of view and that is why I ask all members of the coalition to conduct themselves with restraint and to demonstrate national responsibility. I say that for the good of the communities (in the West Bank) and for the good of the State of Israel.”
For his part, Bennett acknowledged the imperfections born out of the compromise since Amona residents will be forced to relocate.
“Today is a difficult day because I am advancing a draft of Amona which does not provide a full solution to all my voters. Part of leadership is being able to compromise. I am not looking for a solution that will satisfy my base but a solution I believe in,” Bennett said.
He then praised the prime minister for his efforts in the quest for a solution. “I praise the prime minister who stepped using his full strength over the past few days to solve the problem. We could not have succeeded without him.”
With a compromise in hand, a forum of coalition party leaders decided that the redrafted version of the Regulation Bill will be brought before the Knesset for yet another preliminary reading on Monday.
The bill, which was already approved during a preliminary reading just over two weeks ago, will now need to be so once again with the removal of Clause 7. The bill will be brought before a the Ministerial Committee for legislation on Monday night and will then be brought for its second preliminary reading in the Knesset.
If it passes, as is expected, it is likely that it will be brought for its first reading in the Knesset plenum the following day.
