ISRAELI Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is looking for ways to implement a Supreme Court ruling to remove five settler buildings built on private Palestinian land, without alienating his political supporters.
Netanyahu's right-wing government has until July 1 to carry out the court's decision, but the deadline could be brought forward to Wednesday, when ultranationalist legislators plan to submit a bill to legalise the dwellings retroactively, a law the Prime Minister opposes.
The five three-storey apartment buildings in the Ulpana neighbourhood of the Beit El settlement in the occupied West Bank are inhabited by about 30 families.
Government officials said Netanyahu had put forward a plan that would avoid demolishing the homes, proposing that engineers cut through their foundations and transport them to an area where no land ownership claim is pending in court.
He also plans to build 10 homes in Beit El for each of the five apartment buildings in an apparent attempt to appease the Jewish families and their supporters, the officials said.
Advertisement
Palestinians fear that the Israeli settlements, built on land Israel captured in 1967, will deny them a viable state, and the UN World Court considers the settlements illegal. But Israel cites historical and Biblical links to the territory.
Before making a final decision on his plan, Netanyahu asked Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to advise whether it would hold up to court challenges, the officials said.
Netanyahu relies on the support of settlers and their backers, so the prospect of forcing settlers from their homes has turned into a political minefield for Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Liku party.
It’s also likely he would face a public outcry if he is seen to defy the Supreme Court, which many Israelis regard as an important independent watchdog over the government.
"The idea that the government will clash with the Supreme Court has been dropped," Cabinet minister Dan Meridor said on Army Radio, referring to Netanyahu's opposition to the bid in parliament to circumvent the Ulpana ruling with a new law.