Court warns State against delaying Migron evacuation
In hearing on petition filed by Peace Now, Supreme Court president orders ministers to explain why outpost was not evacuated, slams State Prosecutor's Office for failing to follow through with their resolutions
The High Court of Justice on Wednesday ordered the State to explain within 45 days why all means are not being used to evacuate the Migron outpost in the West Bank.
Settlement
State, Yesha Council agree on new location for Migron / Aviad Glickman
State Prosecutor's Office informs High Court of Yesha Council's consent to move illegal West Bank outpost to location northeast of Jerusalem; plan pending political echelon's approval
In a hearing held following a petition submitted by the Peace Now movement, State representatives claimed that the Yesha Council had understood that the outpost would have to be moved to a different location.
On Monday the State issued a statement announcing that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak had decided together with the Yesha Council that Migron would be moved to the West Bank settlement of Adam. The ministers requested that a progress report be filed within four months.
But Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish was not satisfied with the settlement between the two sides, and criticized the State's conduct. "What you are actually saying now is that it won't happen quickly," she said, referring to the four months allotted to the Yesha Council.
"The statement you issued earlier has become empty words as well as all of your previous declarations. You are actually saying you can't carry them out," Beinish added.
Attorneys representing Peace Now claimed during the hearing that the State was requesting the court's permission to continue to deny Palestinians of their land, and to shirk the enforcement of the law.
They also presented a statement issued by Brigadier General (Res) Ilan Paz, who headed the Civil Administration in the years 2002-2005, which said that the approval and construction of the neighborhood intended for the Migron evacuees would take up to seven years.
Michael Sfard, an attorney for the petitioners, commended the court on its conduct. "We are now on our way towards the first evacuation carried out as a result of a warrant issued by the court, imposed upon the State. The court saw through the spin that the prime minister and defense minister attempted to create."
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