JERUSALEM — After pointed criticism from President Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday declared it a “disgrace” that dozens of unauthorized West Bank settlements were standing four years after Israel promised to dismantle them.
In a meeting with political allies, Olmert used the harsh word “disgrace” to show his determination to implement his obligations under the 2003 plan that serves as the basis for renewed peace negotiations, according to a participant who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was closed.
The plan, among other things, calls for Israel to halt settlement construction and take down unauthorized outposts built after March 2001.
In February 2006, just weeks after taking office, Olmert sent police to tear down nine unauthorized homes in the Amona outpost, sparking violent clashes with settlers. In the two years since, he has taken no serious action against outposts.
Last week in Jerusalem with Olmert, Bush said, “Look, I mean, we’ve been talking about it for four years. The agreement was, ‘Get rid of outposts, illegal outposts,’ and they ought to go.’”
Settlers started putting up outposts across the West Bank after Israel reached its initial peace accords with the Palestinians in the early 1990s, in an effort to break up territory the Palestinians want for a state. More than 100 were built without official authorization, but with the tacit or active cooperation of Israeli authorities, according to official reports.
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