[IMRA: Apparently it is the position of the Olmert Administration that the
people uprooted from their homes in the Gaza Strip are somehow to blame for
the Qassam rockets that now threaten them in their new temporary housing
north of the Gaza Strip. Otherwise it is hard to follow the logic as to why
the Government will only, at most, cover half the cost of structures to
protect them from Qassam rockets.]

CABINET COMMUNIQUE
(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
Sunday, 05 February, 2006

At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 5.2.06:

1. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made the following remarks:

"Last week was characterized by important political and diplomatic activity
designed to bring about a halt to Iran's nuclear plans before these plans
ripen into a very significant threat to both world peace and the State of
Israel. There were two dramatic developments: The first was the IAEA
decision to transfer the Iranian nuclear issue to the UN Security Council
for a preliminary discussion (). This was the
fruit of a complex effort in which Israel played a not insignificant part
and will - in the end - present Iran with a very expensive price tag if it
continues with its plans and tries to enrich fuel in order to realize the
option of producing non-conventional weapons. There was also a very
important development in the remarks by US President George Bush, who said
that the US would stand by its ally Israel, including in the military
sphere, if this became necessary, vs. the Iranian threat. I would like to
thank US President Bush both for his continuing friendship and for his deep
commitment to Israel's security. Of course, we will continue the diplomatic
effort and take all necessary steps so that Israel's deterrent ability will
not be impaired and to maintain our ability to defend ourselves."

2. IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz, OC Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Amos
Yedlin, Israel Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi, ISA Director Yuval Diskin,
GOC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh, Attorney-General Meni Mazuz,
Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and other
senior officials briefed ministers on - inter alia - the international
situation and Palestinian affairs, the Palestinian terrorism situation, the
evacuation of the wholesale market in Hebron and the demolition of homes at
Amona.

The briefings discussed the scope and severity of disturbances in Judea and
Samaria since the disengagement, attempts at dialogue and meetings with
community leaders in order to find solutions and reduce friction, the
operational stages of the home demolitions at Amona and the order of forces
that participated in the operation as well as the means employed, command
and control during the operation, and the chain of events from Sunday,
29.1.06, until the afternoon of Wednesday, 1.2.06. The briefings detailed
the scope of the injuries in the violent clashes at the site, the various
incidents that took place during the demolitions and the status of the
investigations into them (regarding both civilians and security forces
personnel). It was noted that this not a disengagement operation but rather
an action to enforce an order of the High Court of Justice.

Attorney General Mazuz added that this was neither a disengagement action
nor a political evacuation decision but a routine action to enforce the law
in a situation involving the highest degree of illegality. This was a chain
of actions involving illegal construction. This was an illegal outpost,
i.e. construction without a Government permit, without a permit from Defense
Minister Mofaz, in contravention of plans, and without a work permit. Most
severe - this was simply the theft of land, squatting and building on
private land belonging to private individuals. The severity does not end
there, but also encompassed gross contempt for proceedings and orders
regarding the site. Therefore, this was neither a diplomatic nor a
political question but one of carrying out demolition orders for structures
that were built on land that was not theirs, in contravention of all rules
and laws and after the exhaustion of both planning and judicial proceedings.

Attorney-General Mazuz emphasized that in the wake of the violence during
the demolitions, there have been several arrests and approximately 17
indictments have been presented; an Israel Police team was working with the
large amount of video footage in order to list all of the offenses and more
arrests and indictments are expected. There is no intention to act with
forbearance towards offenders in this case and there will be no forgiveness
for violence. This was neither a demonstration nor a protest and no kind of
freedom of expression was involved; this was wanton violence of the worst
kind against the security forces; there will be no forgiveness for these
actions and severe indictments will be issued in all cases warranted by the
evidence. Regarding complaints against police personnel, the Justice
Ministry Dept. for Investigating Police Personnel is dealing with this
issue. The Dept., at its own initiative, began one investigation the same
day. Reports regarding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry -
a judicial body with authority - is an issue within the Cabinet's purview.
The Attorney General noted that he disagrees with the calls for a commission
of inquiry and added that whoever thinks that police personnel used
unreasonable violence should submit complaints, which will be thoroughly
checked. He does not see any basis for the establishment of a commission of
inquiry because the facts here are open and transparent and were filmed by
dozens of photographers.

3. Foreign Minister and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni briefed ministers on
diplomatic matters, including her recent visit to Egypt. She also commented
on the Sasson report on the outposts () as
follows:

* It was made clear that the dismantling of illegal outposts does not
require additional Cabinet decisions but may be carried out according to the
decision of Acting Prime Minister Olmert and in accordance with the plan
being prepared by the security establishment. The ministerial committee is
not dealing with the issue and is not due to make any decisions in its
regard.

* In accordance with the instructions of Attorney-General Mazuz, Government
ministries are prohibited from transferring state funds to illegal outposts.

* The courts will be authorized to discuss offenses that were perpetrated by
Israelis for which they (the courts) hitherto lacked jurisdiction: Planning
and construction offenses, moving mobile structures and a refusal to heed
evacuation orders. Further legislative amendments are awaiting security
establishment approval.

* The Justice Ministry is coordinating interministerial work at the
professional level regarding such proceedings as may be necessary in the
future regarding planning and construction in Judea and Samaria.

4. The Cabinet discussed and approved an economic development program for
kibbutz Ein-Gedi; see for details.

5. The Cabinet discussed and approved the draft 2006 Electricity Law; see
for details.

6. The Cabinet discussed the issue of security rooms in residential
structures in the area around the Gaza Strip that were built for residents
of the Gaza Strip in the framework of the Disengagement. The Cabinet
decided as follows:

A. In continuation of its 4.5.05 decision regarding temporary construction
in western Negev communities for the needs of residents of the Gaza Strip,
and in light of the fact that this construction is being carried out with
government assistance, the SELA Disengagement Authority will - pursuant to
Article 4.B.xii of the 2005 Disengagement Plan Implementation Law - expand
its contacts with the aforesaid communities as follows:

i. The communities will build security rooms within 60 days of the signing
of an agreement between the communities and the Authority.

ii. The SELA Disengagement Authority will pay 50% of the costs involved up
to NIS 25,000 per security room; the communities will pay the balance of the
costs.

The SELA Disengagement Authority - in its preparations to absorb residents
from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria - signed agreements with the
communities of Mefalsim, Or Haner and Karmiya for the construction of
residential neighborhoods for a temporary period until the move to permanent
housing. These structures were built without security rooms, in accordance
with special permits. Last week, a special interministerial professional
team agreed on a format for constructing security rooms within 60 days, with
government subsidies as per the above. The Defense Ministry will place
portable security rooms in these neighborhoods. The defense Ministry will
expedite the implementation of the security plans for communities in the
area around the Gaza Strip.