Doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.
The week's news at a glance.
Israel
Editorial
Ha’aretz
Israel is once again negotiating with criminals, said Tel Aviv’s Ha’aretz in an editorial. Not with terrorists, mind you, but with Israeli settler scofflaws. Defense Minister Ehud Barak is reportedly about to reach an agreement with settler representatives who say they will get rid of a few illegal settlement “outposts”—really just “rusty shacks” set up in Arab territory—if the government agrees to bestow legal status on other outposts. Barak isn’t motivated by any desire to reduce the number of Israeli buildings that the Israeli army must defend. Nor does he feel a need to abide by government commitments under the “road map” peace plan, which calls for the dismantling of settlements on Palestinian land. Instead, he plans to shutter a few shacks to placate a large and vocal Israeli human-rights group, Peace Now, which has been filing lawsuits against the government, charging it with ignoring its legal commitments. It’s hard to decide what’s worse: that the government has such a “forgiving attitude toward Israeli lawbreakers in the territories” or that it must be threatened with legal action before it will obey its own laws. One thing, though, is clear: “Every day the outposts remain in place is another day in which every member of the government is abusing his office.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
One Aldwych: where London's creative spirit takes centre stage
The Week Recommends This five-star Covent Garden hotel is the epitome of elegant independence
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Charlotte Dujardin and equestrianism's dark side
In the Spotlight Olympic gold medallist and dressage star's suspension over horse whipping brings abuse in horse sports back into the spotlight
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why Roman epic Those About to Die has split the critics
Talking Point Sword and sandals miniseries starring Anthony Hopkins puts spectacle above story
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published