Channels

Settlers marching to Homesh (Archive)
Photo: Reuters

Settlers return to Homesh after evacuation

Hours after soldiers arrest seven settlers during evacuating of some 100 right-wing activists from Homesh, dozens return to former settlement

Dozens of settlers returned to Homesh Friday evening, hours after the army chased them away and arrested seven people for confronting soldiers and policemen.

 

The settlers said they intend on spending the Shabbath in the former settlement, in defiance of a military warrant declaring the area off-limits to civilians.

 

The army said it would not approach the settlement during the Shabbath, but warned that should the settlers fail to leave Homesh by Saturday evening soldiers would be sent to evacuate them.

 

Earlier Friday, soldiers and policemen evacuated about 100 settlers and right-wing activists from the former settlement.

 

Seven settlers were arrested for confronting soldiers while many others fled to nearby hills.

 

Some of the settlers carried arms but no irregular incidents were reported.

 

The last confrontation between soldiers and settlers in Homesh took place on Independence Day when right-wing activists defied the government and marched to the former settlement.

 

Homesh was evacuated in August 2005 part of Israel's disengagement plan.

 

Peace Now secretary general Yariv Oppenheimer warned that a failure to evacuate Homesh would encourage settlers to continue defying the law.

"We should not allow them make a precedent and spend the Shabbat in the area. The settlers' arrival is a result of the soft policy which has allowed them to return to Homesh in breach of the law," Oppenheimer said.

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.27.07, 19:16
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment