Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu emphasized to Likud Knesset Members Monday evening that he supports Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s decision to evacuate outposts in Judea and Samaria, hinting it would help gain U.S. support against the Iranian nuclear threat.
“[Barak] is not acting alone,” the Prime Minister said. “During the elections, I said that we are a law-abiding country and that we would deal with the illegal outposts.”
“Iran is the main issue," Netanyahu claimed, "and we have to give up on other priorities to deal with the threat. It is crucial for us to maintain a good relationship with the U.S.”
Barak confirmed Tuesday that the U.S. had linked Israel taking down outposts to American action against Iran.
“We need to find a way to explain to the Americans that there is no direct connection between the outposts and
The Defense Minister still emphasized, however, that the outposts must be dismantled. "Israel is a law-abiding state," he said. "We want to take down the outposts through negotiations, but if not, we will use the force necessary to do so."
The police destroyed the Maoz Esther outpost in the Binyamin region of Samaria last Thursday, and Defense Minister Barak has said that 26 other outposts face demolition. The government calls the communities illegal because they were established after a 2001 agreement with the U.S. not to establish new outposts, although they were often developed with government encouragement.
During the stormy Likud meeting in which Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke, several party MKs objected strongly to his policies.
“I can’t even enter synagogue anymore,” religious MK Yuli Edelstein said. “I can’t show my face there. If Barak’s antics go on, I will not remain silent.”
MK Gilad Erdan criticized using the Olmert administration’s criteria for defining an illegal outpost, saying its report on the issue should be “thrown into the garbage can of history.” He said the government should reevaluate the definition of an illegal outpost.
On the other hand, MKs Zev Elkin and Gideon Saar backed the Prime Minister. “Our coalition agreement says we will deal with the outpost issue,” MK Elkin pointed out.
Netanyahu remained adamant througout the meeting, repeating that “Barak is not acting alone.” He asked for his party’s support, saying, “These are not normal times and Israel’s security is the most important issue.”