Speaking at a coalition meeting Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed the ongoing issue of resettlement for evicted residents of the town of Amona in Samaria, whose homes were demolished in a court-ordered evacuation last month.
“We are obligated to find a solution for the residents, just like we promised,” declared Netanyahu.
The Prime Minister also fended off criticism over the government’s handling of the issue, calling pressure to act on behalf of the residents unnecessary.
“We’re maintaining contacts with [residents]. We don’t need recommendations or pressure from every direction, and when I’ll have something to announce, I’ll announce it,” said Netanyahu, adding that he would likely be making a statement “in the near future.”
Netanyahu’s comments come days after Amona evictees began a hunger strike, demanding the government fulfill its side of an agreement struck ahead of the evacuation.
In December, the government agreed to build alternative housing for 24 of the 42 families on a nearby site on the same hill on which Amona was previously located. The Supreme Court the ruled that no progress could be made on that plan until the veracity of a left-wing organization's claims that the site was private land could be ascertained. Netanyahu then promised a new town in Samaria would be built to house the families from Amona.
However, no progress has been made on the prime minister's promise to resettle Amona residents, who are living in substandard conditions in a dormitory, with entire families sleeping in one room.