Danny Dayan
Danny DayanIsrael news photo: Flash 90

Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan on Wednesday called for a solution that would save the community of Migron in Binyamin from being demolished.

Speaking at a cornerstone laying ceremony which was held at the hesder yeshiva in Otniel, Dayan said, “The Prime Minister’s associates have said we are brothers. They were right. Therefore, we should solve the issue of Migron as brothers do - first of all decide that we do not destroy the homes of our brothers and then find a solution.”

“I’m not asking the government anything which I do not demand of ourselves first,” he added. “We must understand the framework in which the government operates and its limitations, but the government must understand the beliefs and attitudes that are our guiding principle.”

Dayan urged the government “to convene a marathon discussion until white smoke comes out. It is possible. It is essential. We have no other choice.”

Migron came under a demolition threat after ultra-leftist group Peace Now filed a motion to the Supreme Court on behalf of several Arabs, who demanded that Migron be demolished because it was allegedly “built upon their private lands.” The Supreme Court ruled that the community must be demolished by the end of March.

However, the court case took a dramatic turn after the Arabs who claimed the land is theirs withdrew their lawsuit when they were unable to present proof of ownership.

MK Zevulun Orlev (Jewish Home) has introduced a bill that would forbid eviction and demolition orders for Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria that have stood for four years and have at least twenty families. The bill would save Migron, but Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has instructed the Ministerial Committee for Legislation not to vote on it.

Netanyahu remains opposed to the bill despite a recent poll showing that Likud voters overwhelmingly back the proposal - with a significant minority saying they will consider switching their allegiance if his faction refuses to move to make it law.

Last week, Knesset Speaker MK Reuven Rivlin expressed his belief that one way or another, Migron would be “legalized. If the government doesn't do it, the Knesset will.”