Netanyahu in Knesset, 16.5.11
Netanyahu in Knesset, 16.5.11Israel news photo: Flash 90

Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat says that following her request, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has instructed the Minister of Justice to find ways of setting up a legal team that will suggest means of giving a legal stamp of approval to Jewish outposts in Judea and Samaria.

The team should be professional and made up of people "external" to the Ministry, she explained to Arutz Sheva

Livnat said that she spoke about the matter with Netanyahu during the Likud ministers' meeting Sunday, and that "his heart is in the right place," as evinced by his request to Justice Minister Ya'akov Ne'eman.

She explained that the request follows instructions given by the High Court – and accepted by the State – to tear down at least 160 building units in Judea and Samaria immediately after the holidays. There are about one thousand men, women and children living in these houses, Livnat noted. "This is unacceptable and it is solvable."

The land upon which these homes were built is not clearly defined, she explains. In some cases, it is not clear whether there is a claimant to the land. In others, the claimant may not possess documents to support his claim. 

"In some places we are talking about neighborhoods that have existed for 15 years and longer, like the Ulpana neighborhood in Beit El.  It is unacceptable that the State will tear down homes that bought legally."

She added that while current [Arab-leftist] court motions are directed at homes in Judea and Samaria, future motions could be lodged against entire communities or places within pre-1967 Israel. Similar legal problems that did come up in the past within the [1949 Armistice] "Green Line" were solved satisfactorily, she said, and all that remains is to apply them to the current challenges. 

"I am not sure that it is so complicated," she said. "If you think the right way… it is possible and can be carried out speedily."