Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak today, Thursday, 13 Cheshvan, turned to the Supreme Court seeking an extension regarding a ruling to destroy Givat Assaf and Amona, two outpost communities located in the geographical area of Shomron known as the Binyamin Regional Council.

The state is seeking a seven-month extension regarding Givat Assaf and a year regarding Amona. In a previous ruling, the court instructed the state to remove outposts built on private land by year’s end.

The two senior ministers explain the issue is a “political one” which is best addressed accordingly, as the government is trying to do, explaining they are working to reach agreement with outpost residents towards voluntary compliance with the High Court.

Peace Now leader Yariv Oppenheim decried the state’s position, adding government statements are simply not worth the paper they are written on. He stated that a voluntary compliance could have been achieved since 2004 and now it is too late. Oppenheim concluded that he feels that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law with the expectation of settlers.

Settlement leaders call for increased pressure on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his ministers to prevent the removal of the communities.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)