(Haaretz). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday that his government will not establish new settlements in the West Bank, though he did say that existing settlements ought to be allowed to expand due to "natural growth."
Netanyahu is under stiff pressure from the United States to halt settlement activity on lands claimed by the Palestinians. The U.S. considers settlements - home to some 280,000 Israelis - obstacles to peace.
The premier said his government was committed to upholding the law in the West Bank, a reference to his government's plan to dismantle unauthorized settlement outposts in the territories.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday that 22 illegal outposts in the West Bank would be torn down, and warned that settlers would be evicted forcefully if they resisted.
"The 22... have to be dealt with now in a responsible, appropriate manner, first of all, exhausting all efforts at dialogue and if that proves impossible, then unilaterally, using force if necessary," he said.
