Ofra (Archives)
Photo: Sebastian Scheiner
State ordered to explain default on razing Ofra buildings
High Court gives Defense Ministry 60 days to clarify why previous writs ordering demolition of illegal structures in West Bank settlement, cessation of construction have not been enforced
The High Court on Tuesday ordered Defense Minister Ehud Barak and
GOC Central Command Major-General Gadi Shamni, to explain why court writs ordering construction the in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, northeast of Ramallah, to stop are not being enforces.
The court order followed a petition filed by the B'Tselem human rights group and Yesh Din – Volunteers for Human Rights, demanding all court orders regarding cessation of construction and structure demolition be enforced immediately.
The petitioners also filed for an interim order meant to ensure that no one will occupy the illegal buildings in Ofra pending the court's decision in the matter.
A previous hearing on the matter revealed that the writs of demolition were not implemented on Barak's order, "Since the matter applies to many of Ofra's houses and must be studied further."
Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish, presiding over the hearing, noted that previous information given to the court indicated the homes were already occupied, rendering the writs inapplicable.
"It appears that actions meant to set accepted facts and foil the interim order had been taken," said the hearing's minutes. The State has been given 60 days to reply, as well as to explain to the court why nine demolition orders issued against illegal constructions in the settlement have not been carried out.
