Jerusalem, 10 November 1999
PM Barak on Evacuation of Maon
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
At the Cabinet meeting today (Wednesday), 10.11.99, Prime
Minister Ehud Barak expressed his and the government's
appreciation to the IDF and police for the manner in which they
carried out the operation to evacuate the Maon Farm. The
operation was important, complex and sensitive. Prime Minister
Barak characterized the operation as having combined "sense and
determination in order to impose the government's will on its
citizens."
Prime Minister Barak added, "What happened at the Maon Farm is a
difficult test for democracy and a red light on the road to
anarchy. There was a minority of extremists along with a majority
of good-intentioned people who did not understand that this was a
test for democracy. The issue is not the Land of Israel, but the
primacy of the rule of law and ensuring that citizens obey the
government."
Prime Minister Barak praised the Yesha Council for the prudent
position it has taken in recent weeks, noting, "Anyone who
diverts the IDF from its ongoing operations - the struggle
against terrorism, defending the settlers and protecting the
country - harms our continuing struggle for the Land of Israel."
Prime Minister Barak said that during his diplomatic talks abroad
he made it clear to his interlocutors that while there is no
disagreement regarding the legality of many communities in Judea
and Samaria - which have been established in accordance with the
law - he would not allow individuals or groups to lead the
government. Barak emphasized, "None of the young men and women at
the Maon Farm can teach me about love for the Land of Israel. I
recommend that no-one belittle the government's determination to
use force, however sensitively, to protect democracy, even as the
political struggle over secure borders and the Jewish people's
hold onto the Land of Israel continues."