Maoz Ester outpost (Archives)
Photo: Reuters
Outpost demolition plans leaked to settlers
Defense establishment to probe who informed National Union MK Michael Ben-Ari of plans to launch razing operation of illegal structures in West Bank settlements
The Civil Administration on Tuesday launched a demolition operation of illegal structures in West Bank settlements. But when the forces arrived to raze the buildings, they were surprised to find that the residents were aware of their plans.
The first place the IDF, Border Guard, police and Civil Administration forces arrived at was the Maoz Ester outpost. The settlers knew they were coming, after National Union Knesset Member Michael Ben-Ari published an announcement in the matter.
When asked how he knew about the plans, he said, "The important thing is that we understand that the Israeli government refrains from razing Arab buildings and demolishes the homes of righteous Jews. This is wrong."
Defense establishment sources said they would examine who leaked the information on the razing plans.
The forces also arrived at Baal Hazor, where they used a bulldozer to demolish a structure. The forces were met with resistance in the Ramat Migron settlement, where residents barricaded themselves on the roof of a building, and two young women refused to evacuate one of the four structures that were razed.
The soldiers evacuated the women by force, and put out burning tires, which were set on fire by the residents in protest of the demolition of the structures, one of which contained holy scriptures.
The last site of the demolition operation was the "Beit Obama" outpost, which was built next to Kochav Yaakov.
Following the demolitions, the settlers announced that they would respond with "full-force construction in all parts of Israel. We will make it clear to Barak that we will continue to settle."
