Some West Bank Settlers Would Be Willing To Evacuate For Right Price

[Purveyor]

By Ofer Aderet and Yossi Melman

Danny Dayan, the chairman of the Yesha Council of West Bank settlements, told U.S. officials that some settlers would be willing to move to Israel proper in exchange for financial compensation, according to confidential State Department cables obtained by WikiLeaks.

Dayan also said he was opposed to some of the tactics employed by Israeli settlers and that he was in favor of removing roadblocks and checkpoints to ease conditions for the Palestinians.

His statements, which were made in closed-door meetings with U.S. diplomats in Israel in recent years, came in response to questions about a potential evacuation-compensation bill in the Knesset. When asked about the issue, Dayan replied: "I'm an economist, and I know that some people will take it if the price is right."

Dayan also told U.S. Embassy officials that he was aware of the Palestinians' attachment to the West Bank. He acknowledged that he was "shamed and embarrassed" by the desecration of Palestinian mosques and the vandalism of Muslim gravestones. Dayan added that settlers were guilty of "morally horrific" things, including attacks on Palestinian property as retribution for Israeli government efforts to rein in settlement construction, also known as the "price tag" policy. \

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http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/some-west-bank-settlers-would-be-willing-to-evacuate-for-right-price-1.354510

[oberliner]

1. Encouraging signs from even some on the far-right of the Israeli political spectrum

Bodes well for the possibility of peace in the not so distant future.

[Purveyor]

2. As long as US taxpayer dollars aren't involved, I'm all for it. eom

[AndyTiedye]

3. Cheaper than Weapons

[shaayecanaan]

4. Indeed, a lot cheaper...

perhaps its a line of inquiry that Obama or perhaps other members of the Quartet should pursue.