Israeli defence minister: negotiations do not address the evacuation of settlements

Moshe Yaalon, the Israeli Defence Minister, has said that the ongoing political negotiations with Palestinians do not address the issue of the evacuation of settlements, saying the West Bank settlements are important to Israel's homefront defense, and need to be strengthened, claiming that an interim agreement with temporary borders would harm Israel's security. Yaalon's statement came during a meeting with the heads of the settlements on Tuesday evening at a Rosh Hashana toast in Samaria with settler leaders. The Samaria Regional Council relayed his words to the media. According to the council, Ya'alon questioned the assumption that in exchange for the word peace, Israel would relinquish territory.