Defense Minister Yisrael Katz met this evening (Monday) at the Kirya in Tel Aviv with the heads of authorities in Judea and Samaria, for a discussion that dealt with the security situation, the continuation of the campaign against Palestinian terrorism, and the promotion of settlement in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.
During the meeting, Minister Katz addressed the storm that arose following his remarks in an interview with the program "The Patriots" and clarified that Central Command Commander Avi Balut was not removed from his position.
He said that "the IDF acts in accordance with government policy" and that "General Balut is fulfilling his role well and there is no disagreement between them.".
An official statement from the Yesha Council and the Minister's Office stated that the heads of authorities expressed support for the Defense Minister's policy at the meeting, and noted the steps taken recently in Judea and Samaria, including the recognition of 104 new settlements and 160 agricultural farms, the return of IDF bases to northern Samaria, the establishment of Nahal preparatory schools and nuclear power plants in the Jordan Valley, the cancellation of administrative arrest warrants against settlers, and the expansion of activity against terrorist infrastructure in the refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur a-Shams - which led to a dramatic reduction of about 80 percent in terrorist incidents.
The Minister of Defense and the heads of authorities emphasized that the settlement constitutes a security and strategic asset for the State of Israel. The heads of authorities expressed "enormous appreciation to Major General Lut for his leadership, his security and settlement achievements, and for his great work for the security of the State of Israel.".
They stated that they reject the campaign that was conducted in the media against the Minister of Defense and against the Commander of Central Command.
The participants agreed to continue close cooperation with the aim of strengthening the security of the residents and ensuring the continued development and prosperity of the settlement in Judea and Samaria.
The meeting was attended by: Chairman of the Yesha Council and Head of the Regional Council, Benjamin Yisrael Gantz, Head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, Mayor of Maale Adumim, Guy Yifrach, Head of the Efrat Council, Dovi Shefler, Head of the Kedumim Council, Ozel Vatik, Head of the Karnei Shomron Council, Yehonatan Kuznitz, Head of the Hebron Council, Eyal Gelman, Head of the Har Hebron Regional Council, Eliram Azoulay, Head of the Elkana Council, Assaf Mintzer, Head of the Oranit Council, Or Piron Sommer, and CEO of the Yesha Council, Hagai Tam.
