Talks between Migron residents and the government have broken down as the High Court of Justice evacuation deadline, March 31, 2012 approaches. The court has ordered the government to remove the Jewish community by the end of next month, placing the Netanyahu administration between a rock and a hard place. Seeking to avoid a confrontation mimicking the 2005 government expulsion from Gush Katif and N. Shomron, the government has assigned Minister Benny Begin to represent the coalition in negotiations with Migron officials.

Earlier in the month, YWN-ISRAEL reported that an agreement was reached with the government representative, Minister Benny Begin, by which the community would be duplicated about 2km from its current location. In addition, a civilian presence would be maintained at the current locale and the final disposition regarding their homes would be determined by the courts.

Begin held a press conference at 12:15pm Monday, February 27, 2012, at which time expounded on the importance of the yishuvim, and how for the past two generations, “there has been ongoing settlement in the land of our forefathers throughout Yehuda and Shomron”.

Speaking from the Prime Minister’s Office, Begin stated that no agreement will be ratified without the acceptance of all of the residents, the 48 families living in Migron. At the heart of the dispute appears to be government refusal to commit to demands that the homes will not be razed after the community is relocated.

Begin stressed the government is seeking an agreement through dialogue. Representatives of the residents have also released statements that they have absolute trust in Minister Begin as being a sincere agent.

The dispute surrounding Migron surrounds petitions filed with the High Court of Justice by Peace Now and supporters, claiming portions of the community were built on private Arab lands. Amazingly, the court never requested proof of ownership from the petitioners, preferring to accept their word and issue the expulsion order for the Jewish residents.

Peace Now’s Yariv Oppenheim explained to Israel Radio that “We are not addressing Migron per see, but the principle, the matter of respecting a High Court decision. If the residents are truly law-abiding as they say, then I expect them to leave the community by the deadline, adhering to the court’s decision, even before police move in to remove them”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)