There is a growing sentiment of opposition among right-wing voters who are lamenting the fact that once again they voted for Binyamin Netanyahu and once again, true to character according to many, he has duped his constituents and is turning his back on the right-wing community, preferring to placate his coalition partners, maintaining a stable coalition towards remaining in office. There is an increasingly audible opposition, with voters pointing out the prime minister indeed possesses unique oratory skills, but his policies are a far cry from his promises. 

According to reports, Defense Minister Ehud Barak not only has a free hand to act to implement his left-wing political agenda, he enjoys full support from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who last week released statements to the media removing any doubt of that support.

The prime minister continues to use his oratory skills to sidestep harsh statements and accusations, but his policies speak volumes and he has halted any and all construction throughout Yehuda and Shomron, and now, Barak is taking the matter to the next step, planning to implement demolition orders against already existing structures throughout Yosh. Barak is viewing this as nothing less than a major military undertaking, and it appears he is not planning to hesitate using an iron-fist policy to implement the policy as he feels it should be adhered to, having forces instructed on the use of live weapons fire should the need arise.

Committees representing residents of areas of Shomron are calling the prime minister’s actions deplorable, using terms that include “war criminal” in their adjectives describing Mr. Barak. Danny Dayan, who heads the Settlement Council, called the planned phase-2 of Barak’s implementation of the construction freeze a “declaration of war” against all the communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron.

YWN-Israel reported earlier that Barak is about to embark on a major military operation, that includes isolating yishuvim, one at a time, and bringing in a large force to actualize demolition orders. As the operation takes place, cellular telephone transmissions will be jammed and all members of the press will be banned from that community.

The news of the IDF plan is in sharp contradiction with government statements that during the 10-month freeze period, there would be no enforcement of the removal of the unauthorized outposts, since the cabinet feels it cannot freeze construction and destroy buildings simultaneously.

Minister of the Interior (Shas) R’ Eli Yishai stated the plan is “extremist and harsh”, questioning the discriminatory enforcement of the law against illegal construction in the Jewish sector in Yehuda and Shomron, pointing out inside the Green Line, [where illegal Arab construction is widespread], enforcement is sporadic.

MK (Likud) Tzipi Hotovely told the press that Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s zeal for implementing the construction freeze has seem to have left him confused as to who is the real enemy in Israel.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)