Haaretz is reporting that Israeli Defense Minister Barak (theirs, not ours) has reached an "agreement" with the settlers occupying Migron, an illegal outpost on Palestinian-owned land in the West Bank to move to another illegal settlement in three years. 

Migron was established in 2002 on private Palestinian land and consists of around 50 families, most living in trailers.  In 2006, in response to a petition by Peace Now, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered that the settlement be removed, but nothing changed while the defense ministry sought extensions to formulate a plan for doing so.  In January 2008, Barak and Olmert told the Court that Migron would be evacuated by August. 

Now, the settlers will be allowed to remain until the new settlement is ready in three years.  The new settlement will consist of 250 houses (with plans for 1400 units) and will be located east of the "separation" wall.  In other words, the residents of the illegal settlement who were directed to leave in 2006, will not be evacuated until at least 2011 while the new, larger illegal outpost housing them is readied.   

This is depressing news even for those who, like me, have withheld judgment of Israel's war in Gaza despite the unbearable carnage and suffering it caused.  Underlying my tepid "support" was the idea that Hamas' rule in Gaza sidelines any prospect of a two-state solution since the movement exists to oppose such a result.  However, even the most ardent supporters of Israel (I'll omit the religious zealots from this group, for obvious reasons) must recognize that the only effective long-term counter to Hamas is a viable alternative to its philosophy of armed resistance.  This means real progress toward a viable Palestinian State and tangible results for the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank that has chosen the path of negotiation.  

The only possible rationale I can see for Barak's move would be cynical posturing in anticipation of the upcoming elections (although I can't imagine him winning many votes among the settlers).  But by refusing to confront its own extremists, Israel sets back the cause of peace, weakens its only viable partner, and provides ammunition to its enemies.     

The mind-bogglingly obtuse action by Israel does provide an opening for Obama/Mitchell to differentiate themselves from the Bush administration and signal a new, more aggressive approach to peacemaking.  They should call Israel out on this, even if only symbolically.  Israelis pay close attention to the words of the American President carefully dissecting every utterance for its implications.  The meaning here should be clear and unambiguous: The settlements must be rolled back.