Political analysts predict the issue of the unauthorized hilltop outposts in Judea and Samaria is going to be increasingly divisive and may send the relations between the Prime Minister and his Minister of Defense into a downward spiral.

The Prime Minister's Office has issued a statement saying that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is committed to the razing of "illegal outposts". However, sources in his bureau clarified that he intends do so it as part of a comprehensive plan," and that "he thinks it should be based on agreement if possible and should not be carried out by force."