Rightist MK: High Court, not settler homes, must be bulldozed to the ground

Bayit Yehudi MK Moti Yogev reacted to the High Court's ruling which ordered the state to demolish illegally built structures in Beit El.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: JULY 29, 2015 11:23
The Supreme Court (photo credit: REUTERS)
The Supreme Court
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The High Court decision to order the state to demolish two illegally built structures in the West Bank settlement of Beit El elicited harsh reactions from the Right on Wednesday.
MK Moti Yogev of the pro-settler Bayit Yehudi party said in response that "we should ride up in D-9 bulldozers and raze the High Court of Justice to the ground." Yogev made the remarks before entering a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Yogev's Bayit Yehudi colleague, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, preached moderation, saying the state must respect the rule of law "and accept the High Court ruling and the harsh decree" ordering the demolition of illegally constructed homes in Beit El.
In light of the ruling, which is sure to increase tensions between the state and the settler community, Shaked called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon to "sweeten the bitter pill and begin building [in the settlements] right away, without excuses."
Yisrael Beytenu chief Avigdor Liberman said the High Court ruling is tantamount to "a rubber stamp confirming the failed leadership of the prime minister and defense minister."
"They are not worthy of leading the country," Liberman said.
The Beit El local council criticized the ruling, saying that it was "astounded by the High Court's obtuseness and the fact that it has ignored the permits that were presented to it."
"It is very unfortunate that the High Court has sanctified a war against these homes and ignored basic logic," the council said. "Nonetheless, we will respect the ruling, with great sadness."