Regulation Bill Still in the Works

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday that the government is “working overtime” to produce a “responsible solution” to the issue of Amona and other outposts in Yehudah and Shomron.

“I expect everyone, including ministers and Knesset members to respect it [a solution, when found],” he said. “We need to act responsibly and wisely for the sake of our joint goal of protecting the settlements and also the High Court. We are working on both those planes.”

Netanyahu was referring to Clause 7, the most contentious clause in the Regulation Bill, which would retroactively legalize Amona, thus undermining the authority of the Court which has already ruled on it, according to opponents. Netanyahu was reportedly against the clause, as was Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, but Naftali Bennett and his Jewish Home party MK’s were strongly for it.

After hours of deliberation, Netanyahu and Bennett reached an agreement on Sunday, which would delete Clause 7, according to Arutz Sheva, though other outpost communities would be protected.

If passed by the Knesset in this form, the Amona community would be evacuated by December 25 by court order.

Also on Sunday, it was reported by Ynet that Netanyahu informed his Likud faction that the government will seek a 30-day extension on the demolition order in order to ensure an orderly, peaceful transfer of the residents to new homes. The court previously rejected a delay of 6 months.

A vote on the bill was rescheduled from Monday to Wednesday.