Netanyahu: Amona to stay intact after move

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the Israeli government has had “excellent conversations” with US president-elect Donald Trump and vice president-elect Mike Pence since the US elections.

At the same time, he urges ministers and coalition members to “act with restraint” in commenting on policy that may affect the US-Israel relationship, noting it’s “a very sensitive period from a diplomatic perspective.”

At the start of the weekly Likud faction meeting, the prime minister says the coalition leaders are “working very hard” on a deal that would allow the Amona residents to stay close to their hilltop, moving the caravans just several hundreds meters away, and keeping the community intact. This is “very important news,” he says.

He says there are many “Amonas” and the the government is working on resolving the larger legal problem because “the settlements are important to us.”

Netanyahu says the coalition is “strong” and is overcoming the obstacles posed by the impending evacuation of the outpost.

Asked by an Army Radio reporter whether he really believes Israel has the most free, most critical press in the world, as Netanyahu told the Saban Forum on Sunday, the prime minister reiterates the claim, adding that it is “their right” to be critical. But it is my right to criticize the press in return, he adds.

The prime minister also pokes fun at his receding hairline and carefully attended combover.

After wishing fellow Likud MK Yoav Kisch a happy birthday, the lawmaker notes that his hair is grayer and he’s put on a few pounds since entering Israel’s parliament.

“The color doesn’t matter, and I say this carefully,” Netanyahu responds, to titters. “The important thing is that there’s something [there].”