Givat 725
צילום: עמית שאבי
Settlers nix Yesha deal with gov't on outposts
Settlers criticize Yesha Council for negotiating future of illegal outposts with government
Settlers vowed on Wednesday to nix any agreement the Yesha Council may seal with the government on the evacuation of four illegal West Bank outposts.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Yesha Council delegates held a meeting earlier this week to discuss plans to evacuate Havat Maon, Havat Skali, Givat Ronen Aroussi, and Givat N.G. 725.
The outpost of Givat Ronen (Photo: Amit Shabi)
"Yesha representatives can reach any deal they want on paper. In fact, we will not respect their agreements," settlers said.
During meetings held this week, settler leaders vowed to resist evacuation forces, saying "what happened in Amona needs to be doubled and multiplied."
Settlers and their supporters clashed with security forces during the evacuation of the illegal outpost of Amona in February.
Settler youths and activists from large settlements will be recruited to lead the resistance campaign.
The Yesha Council came under fire by settlers opposed to negotiations with the government ahead of the planned evacuations. Yesha delegates offered to evacuate a number of isolated outposts in return for a government guarantee not to evacuate all outposts.
"That's really a cheek. Yesha leaders have no right to discuss our future and reach an agreement including concessions. Who said the hill where I live is less holy than the Ofra and Beit El settlements?" a settler told Ynet.
Right-wing activist Baruch Marzel lashed out at Yesha leaders: "They are (Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert's collaborators; they don't understand that the outposts are the settlement's flak jacket. Ahead of the realignment, Olmert wants calm and attempts to evacuate outposts can be a prize for us if we know how to fight and struggle, and then, if we have many other Amonas, Olmert won't implement his plan."
