Netanyahu, Migron residents strike deal

JERUSALEM, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Residents of the illegal West Bank settlement Migron will move to homes to be be built nearby in a deal with the Israeli government, a source told Ynetnews.com.

Under the compromise with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, structures on the outpost would be converted info a farm instead of being razed, the source told Ynetnews.com.

New homes for the settlers are to be built on Israeli land about 1.2 miles from the outpost.

Representatives of Netanyahu and the settlers were working on a contract Monday evening that would comply with a recent High Court of Justice ruling that the settlement be dismantled by the end of March, Ynetnews reported.

The Israeli government also agreed if the settlers proved Migron isn't on private land owned by Palestinians, they could continue to occupy the land.

Itai Hemo, a resident and a spokesman for the settlement, praised the deal.

"Over the past few months, we have been collaborating with ministers and Knesset members to find a solution to the issue," he said. "It was clear to us that it's just a matter of proper wording. Through Migron, we will also find a solution for other settlements."

The two sides had negotiated more than a year.