In his Monday meeting in London with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell, Defense Minister Ehud Barak reportedly agreed that the removal of unauthorized outposts would be a high priority, to be actualized in the next two weeks to two months.
Israel and America are working to advance talks on a number of tracks, including the PA (Palestinian Authority), Syria and Lebanon. Following the over three-hour meeting, the two officials told the media that Israel and the United States remain committed towards advancing regional peace efforts. Barak committed to the removal of 23 unauthorized outposts, not in a matter of years, but “in weeks to two months”.
During a Yisrael Beitenu faction meeting on Monday, party members raised the question why Barak was handling these talks instead of the party’s leader, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The explanation surrounded the fact that Lieberman is also a “settler”, being that he lives in a community in Gush Etzion. Lieberman told his colleagues that he does not want to be accused of intentionally sabotaging negotiations to promote his own interests.
Questions continued however, asking why Barak is handling the PA (Palestinian Authority) track as well, with Lieberman explaining that this is the nature of the PA issue, that it is addressed by the defense ministry, explaining that ultimately, the defense minister must sign an agreement and many of the key issues are under his jurisdiction.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
6 Responses
what about barak’s home in kochav yair?
thats also a settlement!
Unauthorized outposts, especially if not adjacent to authorized settlements, are a nuisance to defend and expensive to provide service to. By definition, they were built on land that the builders had no legal right to build on – under Israeli law. They are more of a form of “civil disobedience” than they are settlements or communities. Removing them sounds impressive, and hopefully the Americans and European will be impressed, but it is actually insignficant politically or legally.
What is this nonsense? There are no “talks” with the palestinians. This whole thing is a farce.
Why does the US have it’s list of enemies of the state under Bush, a different list of enemies of the state under Obama, yet the US persists in asking Israel to GIVE AWAY the country to Israels’ enemies of state.
Israel is a sovereign nation. It should declare war on any people who threaten the well-being of Israeli citizens. Period!
i think the jewish country is not authorized in obamas books
#1,2 &3, you’re all right on the $$$.
Notice though how repulsed Barack of America is with the Jewish ‘house building issue’ but not with the the Iran nuclear weapon building issue! It’s good to know who are our friends and who aren’t! Where the Israeli Barack stands I think depends on his political aspirations! Kochav Yair is untouchable but Bat Yam is going to go. Could it have connection with Shmiras & Kiyum Torah Umitzvos. Kochav Yair is void of it r”l where Bat Yam all 613 are kept!
Zoll G-t Shoin Rachmuniss Hubbin!
Ehud Barak Chochom Einav B’Rosho.