Migron settlers deny signing deal to relocate

W. Bank outpost residents awaiting agreement in writing from gov't allowing them to leave homes by Nov. 2015.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Migron home 390 (photo credit: TOVAH LAZAROFF)
Migron home 390
(photo credit: TOVAH LAZAROFF)
Migron residents denied a rumor on Thursday that they had signed an agreement with the government to relocate their West Bank outpost.
The High Court of Justice has ordered the IDF to demolish the outpost by the end of the month because it was built without the proper permits on land that the state has classified as belonging to private Palestinians.
The government has offered to let residents build authorized homes on state land 2 kilometers away. In exchange, Migron residents would agree to leave the land on which their homes are now located, by the end of November 2015.
At the start of this week, however, negotiations with the government were deadlocked.
According to MK Danny Danon (Likud), a compromise has been found that would allow Migron residents to sign the relocation agreement.
The outpost published a statement on Thursday night that said its residents had waited since the afternoon to receive an amended agreement in writing from government.
Once the document arrives, an assembly will be held in which the residents will decide whether they approve the text, Migron residents said.
According to Minister-without- Portfolio Bennie Begin who has represented the government in talks with the Migron settlers, each family must sign a letter promising to relocate.
Once that letter is signed, the state will turn to the High Court and ask that rescind its demolition order for the outpost.
Located in the Binyamin Region, Migron is home to 50 families.
According to a government report compiled by attorney Talia Sasson in 2005, Migron was built in May 2001 with NIS 4.3 million from the Construction and Housing Ministry.