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Last update - 15:05 20/05/2009
Barak: Israel will remove illegal outposts by force, if needed
By Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel news, Haaretz TV 

Defense Minister Ehud Barak told the Yesha settler council on Wednesday that Israel will dismantle the illegal outposts by force if dialogue proves fruitless.

"We will dismantle the illegal outposts," Barak said. "If it won't be through understanding, it will be done quickly and by force."

During the meeting, held at the minister's bureau in Tel Aviv, Barak went on to say that "we can't compromise on law enforcement. A sovereign country that seeks life must enforce its laws and implement the state's authority over its citizens."
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He said the new Israeli government of hardline Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he had joined would take action against the outposts, not because it was told to do so by the United States, but because Israel "is a state of law."

Barak added that the illegal outposts cause extensive damage to Israel in the international arena, and even weaken the settler movement. Therefore, he said, the problem of the unauthorized outposts should be addressed first and foremost.

The meeting, called by the Yesha council, included several settler demands. The council asked that the construction in the West Bank settlements be unfrozen, that Jewish communities in the West Bank be afforded conditions for a normal lifestyle and that certain security concerns be addressed.

Among other things, the council heads asked the defense minister to prevent the planned budget cuts in settler security measures and the planned removal of travel restrictions currently imposed against the Palestinians. These two requests were described by Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan as "life and death matters that could endanger the lives of Israeli citizens."

Some 100 outposts, set up independently by Jewish settlers without formal government approval, are scattered throughout the West Bank.

These outposts exist next to the 121 authorized West Bank settlements, which are legal under Israeli law

The 2003 road map agreement authored by the quartet of Middle East peace negotiators - the U.S., Europe, United Nations and Russia - calls on Israel to uproot all outposts erected since March 2001 and to freeze all construction in the other settlements.

The Netanyahu government has said it will abide by the road map, but not move on to serious negotiations on a final peace deal until all of its preliminary clauses are met. Under it, the Palestinians are called on to fight militants.

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      1.   What I would like to see 16:17  |  Yonatan 20/05/09
      2.   I`ll volunteer to Help..... 16:28  |  Razi 20/05/09
      3.   Barak Israel a state of Law? 16:30  |  jim the mechanic 20/05/09
      4.   After losing Arafat and Clinton Barak found a new master,Obama 16:35  |  Absolute Sweden 20/05/09
      5.   barak will remove illegal outposts, 16:39  |  abraham 20/05/09
      6.   NOW U R talking Mr DM. 16:55  |  Amnon 20/05/09
      7.   Only Believed when Seen 17:07  |  Mark of Lewiston 20/05/09
      8.   They are all illegal. 17:08  |  American in NY 20/05/09
      9.   Barak 17:19  |  Philip smith 20/05/09
      10.   would he dare? hope so... 17:21  |  Jane 20/05/09
      11.   Yes Amnon,and before the 67 you wanted war,certainly 17:28  |  Absolute Sweden 20/05/09
      12.   Can`t compromise on law efforcenent 17:45  |  dave 20/05/09
      13.   West Bank is not Gaza; Barak will lose 17:58  |  Mark Leaman 20/05/09
      14.   What State of Law 17:59  |  Bill 20/05/09
      15.   barak and the settlers 19:04  |  rm 20/05/09
      16.   But gov`t doesn`t remove ILLEGAL ARAB CONSTRUCTION of 1000`s 19:05  |  Moshe 20/05/09
      17.   Mark of Lewiston 19:05  |  ODP1 20/05/09
      18.   Barak and Peres 19:26  |  JoJo 20/05/09
      19.   Barak also walks on water 19:39  |  Witness 20/05/09
      20.   Barak or Barack? 19:51  |  Shula 20/05/09
      21.   Settlers making demands? 19:52  |  Jack 20/05/09
      22.   Barak;This is a positive move to relieve tension,.. 20:30  |  Deacon2 20/05/09
      23.   The Fantastic Americans... 21:05  |  Conrad 20/05/09
      24.   More clever words of appeasement for Obama by Barak. 21:07  |  Maureen Ann 20/05/09
      25.   Isnt the entire West Bank "illegal" 21:14  |  YC Renva 20/05/09
      26.   #8 American in NY 21:25  |  H 20/05/09
      27.   barak should be removed by force 21:42  |  vik 20/05/09
      28.   Leave Jewish villages alone 22:05  |  Baruch Gold 20/05/09
      29.   #22 moaning ann and the illegal arab squatters 22:06  |  v hardman 20/05/09
      30.   #24 H 22:08  |  BDS 20/05/09
      31.   All of the Settlements are Illegal! 22:17  |  Lee Kaplan 20/05/09
      32.   Then why has neither of the governments 22:31  |  Mark Lincoln 20/05/09
      33.   If only Israel talked this tough to their enemies. 01:57  |  Jon 21/05/09
      34.   One hilltop trailer per year... 02:00  |  Fortuna Benmayor 21/05/09
      35.   removing "illegal" Jewish outposts 13:14  |  Julie 21/05/09
      36.   America 16:53  |  Maren 21/05/09
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