Interior Minister Eli Yishai will meet with representatives of municipalities in Judea and Samaria on Wednesday in his Jerusalem office. Members of the Judea, Samaria and Gaza (YESHA) Council will also take part in the meeting, which is to focus on the future of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.
The meeting came in response to government plans to remove and demolish 26 unauthorized Jewish encampments and mini-communities throughout Judea and Samaria. Rumors that widespread evictions were to begin on Monday, and the few demolitions that were in fact carried out, led to violent clashes between security forces and local youths. Knesset Member Michael Ben-Ari was injured in the ensuing scuffle.
YESHA Council Chairman Danny Danon told Arutz Sheva that Minister Yishai's invitation is "a welcome initiative". The Shas party chairman "is being revealed as a faithful friend of the settlements and as someone who has the courage to express his opinion. I have not heard any other minister, except for Minister Yishai, oppose the evacuation of outposts. The meeting speaks for itself," Danon declared.
In May, Minister Yishai was quoted as saying, "There must be equal enforcement of the law, but I don't believe it is right at this time to dismantle outposts. Not every one can do what he wants."
In an editorial on the decision to halt Jewish construction, the head of the Likud's large Manhigut Yehudit faction, Moshe Feiglin wrote that such a move is anti-Semitic in nature. "The Jewish-owned structures slated for demolition are surrounded by an unlimited number of Arab-owned structures that are far less legal, but that no one touches. That is to say, what is contemplated here is the demolition of Jewish homes because of their Jewish ownership."
The Obama administration is reportedly considering sanctions against Israel if construction for Jews in Judea and Samaria is not halted, or if the "illegal outposts", as defined by the State Department, are not removed.