VIDEO - Despite razing orders issued by the Supreme Court, settlers from Beit El have built 48 housing units without permit on Palestinian private land since the end of the construction freeze.
Last December, Yesh Din filed a petition with the High Court of Justice on behalf of landowner Abdul Rahman Kassem from the village of Dura al-Kara, to stop construction and prevent settlement there. In a hearing held one month later, the court issued an order prohibiting all construction work at the site.
Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish leveled criticism at the state for failing to implement razing orders. "You say they plan on razing but you do nothing. We issued interim orders and they were violated."
(צילום: שלום עכשיו)
Video: Peace Now
Last Friday, Peace Now activists arrived at the site to check what was going on and discovered that construction work was still taking place. The activists documented the work in a video clip.
Yesh Din subsequently informed the State Prosecutor's Office of the findings. "Last Friday, heavy machinery were seen at the site," it was noted. "Work on a roof was completed."
"Theses acts demonstrate that the law enforcing authorities choose not to implement court orders and decisions and make a mockery of them as well as the rule of law."
Peace Now Secretary-General Yariv Oppenheimer said: "Not just the Hilltop Youth but veteran settler leadership is breaking the law and ignoring court rulings. No wonder such a savage generation emerges if this is the way the establishment conducts itself."