Pressed by U.S., Netanyahu orders evacuation of some West Bank outposts

Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the evacuation of some West Bank settlements and outposts considered illegal under Israeli law, according to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key ally who said he opposed the move.

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Netanyahu ordered the evacuation.

The order covers about 100 unauthorized settlements and outposts. The report says the decision seeks to halt an escalation in violence by radical settlers against Palestinians. Some outposts consist of only a few caravans or other makeshift structures, while others have later received approval or been legalized.

The decision came under strong pressure from Washington, according to the report. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee recently described violent settler actions against Palestinians as “terrorism” and “criminal acts.” Europe has also threatened sanctions, while the United Nations has condemned the settlements as illegal under international law.

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terrorism

Smotrich’s opposition highlights the political tension surrounding the order. His far-right Religious Zionism party supports annexing the entire West Bank. On Sunday, he claimed credit for what he called “a revolution” involving the construction and legalization of villages, farms, roads and thousands of homes in the occupied territory.

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criminal acts

The report says Netanyahu had promised at the end of August to continue promoting settlements despite international pressure. Violence in the West Bank has risen sharply since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, with near-daily settler attacks and periodic Israeli raids on Palestinian villages. Huckabee visited the West Bank on Saturday in support of Palestinian citizens of the United States who had been attacked by settlers. “Our message is clear: a crime is a crime,” he said. “Those who commit them should expect severe consequences.”

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Our message is clear: a crime is a crime. Those who commit them should expect severe consequences.