Sports complex built in illegal outpost
Nofei Nechemia mentioned in report listing outposts Israel intends to evacuate, but residents remain unfazed and have recently built modern sports complex to prove it
The residents of these outposts, so it seems, do not believe they will be evacuated any time soon, and have recently built a modern sports complex in Nofei Nechemia, an illegal settlement in the Shomron Regional Council.
Construction works in the outpost, located 1.8 miles east of Ariel, begun a few months ago. The complex covers 13,000 square feet, and includes a soccer field and basketball and tennis courts. The place also houses a stable.
The sports complex at Nofei Nechemia (Photo: Dror Etkes)
Nofei Nechemia is mentioned in a report written three years ago by Talia Sasson, an attorney who listed all the illegal settlements in Israel, detailing the way they were set up and which government office assisted in the process.
The report also lists the illegal outposts built after 2001, which the Israeli government pledged to evacuate. Nofei Nechemia, which came about in 2002, was one of them.
The outpost now houses 20 caravans. In 2003, the residents were evacuated for a short period of time, as IDF troops took over the premises. Shortly after Shaul Mofaz took office as defense minister, it was reoccupied by settlers, and has continued to grow ever since.
Dror Etkes, director of Peace Now's settlement watch, told Ynet Wednesday that this was proof that Olmert's government was not headed for peace.
"This is just another example proving that Olmert's government is not a partner for peace, or for any political process requiring the evacuation of outposts. If Nofei Nechemia is any example, than the government isn't even a willing partner in enforcing the law and exercising good governance."
Ben-Zion Lieberman, chairman of the Yesha Council and head of the Matte Binyamin Regional Council, was not available for comment.
