Likud agreed to legalize settlement outposts in coalition agreements
High Court over-ride law not included in coalition agreements because of common desire between Likud, right-wing religious and hared parties to pass such legislation
By JEREMY SHARONTHE SETTLEMENT of Efrat in Gush Etzion. Nothing can change the Obama administration’s mind that settlements are the primary cause of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the author argues.(photo credit: REUTERS)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud agreed in principle in coalition agreements after the April election that the legalization of outposts would be advanced through a newly established government agency, several sources confirmed.Additionally, there was general agreement between Likud and religious and haredi parties to pass a High Court override law, but provisos for such legislation were not included in the deals.In the negotiation between Likud and the Union of Right-Wing Parties, a clause was included that would require the government to “advance the regularization” of unauthorized settlements and outposts in the West Bank, and establish a government agency for the purpose through legislation.Deputy Defense Minister and Bayit Yehudi MK Eli Ben-Dahan told The Jerusalem Post that the agency would systematically evaluate each outpost to identify the obstacles to its legalization, and then solve those problems through cabinet resolutions and other means.The MK said it was unclear under which ministry the body would have been established, but that the possibilities included the Prime Minister’s Office and the Defense Ministry.Ben-Dahan said it was likely Bayit Yehudi and its partner National Union would make the same demands in upcoming coalition negotiations following the September 17 election.According to Peace Now, there are 113 outposts that were established without government authorization, and which theoretically are subject to being evacuated and torn down.