According to a recent poll, Likud voters overwhelmingly support the so-called 'Outpost Law' aimed at normalizing the status of threatened communities in Judea and Samaria. The bill, authored by Minister Zevulun Orlev (Jewish Home), would forbid eviction and demolition orders for Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria that have stood for four years and have at least twenty families. It also stipulates that all petitions disputing land claims must be proven through accepted evidentiary means in a court competent to hear the case. Should such a claim be found valid the court would be directed to order monetary compensation or alternative grant of land for the plaintiff. The results of the Smith Institute survey of a representative sample of Likud voters underscored the serious harm the party faces should it fail to back Orlev's bill and more demolitions ensue. According to the poll 67% of the Likud-base supported the Outpost Law, while only 26% opposed it and 7% held no opinion. When asked whether Likud ministers or faction members opposing the Outpost Law would cause them to vote against them in the coming Likud primaries 45% answered in the affirmative, 38% said it would have no impact, and 22% said they were unsure. However, more telling was that 32% of the Likud base said, were Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to champion the Outpost Law, they would seriously consider transferring their support to his Israel Beiteinu faction in the next elections, if Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opposes it and the threatened communities are uprooted. The results could prove to be a major thorn in the side of Netanyahu, who previously ordered the bill killed in committee, though it has made a sharp comeback in recent weeks. All of the faction heads in Netanyahu's ruling coaltion have pressured him to find a way to avoid further demolitions and evictions in Judea and Samara, while 20 of the 27 Likud faction members have told the Prime Minister that the destruction of Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria is unacceptable. The group Hamateh Hameshutaf (Joint Task Force), which is backing Orlev's bill, hailed the survey results. "Likud members know exactly what they want from their representatives: they seek equality between the residents of Migron, Kfar Saba and Tel Aviv. They demand Jewish families won't be evicted and that their homes won't be destroyed," the group said. "We rejoice that the Likud deputies recently expressed their support for the Outpost Law and hope that we can soon promote the return of the bill so as to save Migron and thwart the dreams of Peace Now,” they added.
