Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has announced he is not fond of the Regulation Law which seeks to bypass a Supreme Court ruling and retroactively legalize Amona.

Speaking to political correspondents, Lieberman explained it appear the only option open to Amona residents is relocating to the Shvut Rachel, the deal offered by the government. He admits that he is not certain that even if the Regulation Bill is passed that it will apply to Amona, adding that from the moment he entered his current post he has been working to find a solution. He said that those who believe Amona can continue in its present location are “casting delusions and deceiving good people who have been there for many years”.

He adds the American administration has come down hard on the Foreign Ministry and he is willing to take this and relocate the community to Shvut Rachel, but de does not see a way to permit Amona to remain where it is today.

Regarding nine homes in Yishuv Ofra that the High Court of Justice ordered destroyed for being on Arab land. Minister Lieberman explains they have been living there for over 20 years and the homes were built and approved by state agencies. “Suddenly it is known they are on private land – the tenants are not responsible. This must be corrected”.

Lieberman says there are those who are telling residents there is a solution be he, as Foreign Minister, has to speak the truth and the only solution he sees is relocating to the Shvut Rachel area.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)