Hebron settlers to evacuate market willingly
Hebron settlers agree to evacuate cluster of homes in city’s old market after reaching compromise with security forces
Suspicions of repeated violent clashes between settlers and security forces during the January 31 evacuation were purged by the government, anxious to avoid a repetition of the clashes witnessed during the August withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Settler leaders were soothed by a government pledge not to transfer the homes to Palestinian families until the end of a court battle over the homes’ ownership. Settlers petitioned the High Court that the homes belong to Jews and demanded they’d be rented from Hebron’s Municipality to their current Jewish inhabitants.
'We decided to prevent a fiery but unnecessary struggle'
Under instructions from Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert senior security officials met settler leaders to ease tension ahead of the evacuation.
Security officials and settlers agreed that the families will willingly evacuate the homes but keep the keys to their former dwellings, which will remain vacant until the end of the legal process.
“We decided to prevent a fiery but unnecessary struggle,” said Noam Arnon, spokesperson for Hebron settlers.
IDF Central Command Head Yair Naveh signed 21 restraining orders against right-wing activists that according to intelligence information plan to hurt soldiers and police officers during the Hebron evacuation.
Despite the compromise proposal, the defense establishment is preparing to use force, with thousands of police officers and soldiers set to take part in the evacuation that will begin Tuesday, should the settlers reject the compromise deal.
Security officials told Ynet that "the leaders of Hebron's Jewish community should accept the offer, because if it isn't accepted, we will cut off electricity and water and seal the houses. They will only lose."
Meretz-Yahad Chairman Yossi Beilin said the compromise deal reached between the security establishment and the Hebron settlers is “shameful” and constitutes “a complete surrender to the violent and extremist settler sin the city.”
The High Court of Justice on Sunday rejected a petition filed by residents of the illegal West Bank outpost of Amona, who asked the court to prevent a demolition of their homes.
