Proponents of dismantling the outposts say that the sites needlessly endanger soldiers who have to protect them. They further claim that outposts that have not received all the necessary permits are illegal and must be removed in accordance with the law. MK Michael Kleiner (Herut) and others noted, however, that the same laws are not being enforced regarding the many illegal Arab structures in Yesha and Jerusalem. "Ben-Eliezer is acting as if he had received emergency military call-up orders [Tzav Shmoneh] from the extreme left-wing Meretz Party," Kleiner said. "The Defense Ministry should spend its time destroying the illegal Arab structures overlooking Jewish-traveled roads throughout Yesha that have been used as cover for terrorists during attacks."
Prime Minister Sharon has apparently approved Ben-Eliezer's orders, and an aide said that this is because he wishes to help Ben-Eliezer in his political struggle. Yesha Council sources were also informed by the Prime Minister's Office that because Attorney-General Elyakim Rubenstein is involved in the matter, Sharon cannot intervene. The Council rejects this explanation, however, because Rubenstein has not enforced hundreds of demolition orders against illegal Arab buildings throughout Yesha.
IMRA notes that while the Oslo agreements do not restrict construction of Jewish communities in Israeli-controlled areas, the Interim Agreement of September 1995 restricts Palestinian construction that may endanger Israeli settlements:
"The Palestinian side shall ensure that no construction close to the Settlements and military locations will harm, damage or adversely affect them or the infrastructure serving them." (Annex III, Protocol Concerning Civil Affairs, Article 27: Planning and Zoning, Subparagraph 3a)
IMRA further notes that since 1993, when the Oslo Agreements were signed, the Arabs of Yesha "have followed a consistent strategy of illegally erecting buildings on roads - including new bypass roads (which are included in the above definition of 'infrastructure serving settlements') - that can be used as firing position from which to attack Israeli vehicles as they travel to and from settlements."
Prime Minister Sharon has apparently approved Ben-Eliezer's orders, and an aide said that this is because he wishes to help Ben-Eliezer in his political struggle. Yesha Council sources were also informed by the Prime Minister's Office that because Attorney-General Elyakim Rubenstein is involved in the matter, Sharon cannot intervene. The Council rejects this explanation, however, because Rubenstein has not enforced hundreds of demolition orders against illegal Arab buildings throughout Yesha.
IMRA notes that while the Oslo agreements do not restrict construction of Jewish communities in Israeli-controlled areas, the Interim Agreement of September 1995 restricts Palestinian construction that may endanger Israeli settlements:
"The Palestinian side shall ensure that no construction close to the Settlements and military locations will harm, damage or adversely affect them or the infrastructure serving them." (Annex III, Protocol Concerning Civil Affairs, Article 27: Planning and Zoning, Subparagraph 3a)
IMRA further notes that since 1993, when the Oslo Agreements were signed, the Arabs of Yesha "have followed a consistent strategy of illegally erecting buildings on roads - including new bypass roads (which are included in the above definition of 'infrastructure serving settlements') - that can be used as firing position from which to attack Israeli vehicles as they travel to and from settlements."