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Shvut Rachel
Photo: Peace Now
Yariv Oppenheimer

State to sanction Shvut Rachel outpost

State informs High Court that West Bank outpost is slated to receive necessary settlement permits

Shvut Rachel, an outpost located 30 miles north of Jerusalem in the Matte Binyamin Regional Council, is on its way to becoming a full-fledged settlement, Ynet learned on Monday.

 

The State has informed the High Court of Justice – in response to a petition filed by Peace Now against building being performed in the area – that the outpost is slated to receive the necessary settlement permits, which will legitimize its status.

 

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"The petition… mentioned construction performed on State lands which have been inspected by a Blue Line team. The political echelon now wishes to regulate construction on the premises and has therefore instructed… to promote the (outpost's) zoning status," the State's brief said.

 

"Blue Line" teams are Civil Administration teams which review land appropriations in the West Bank. The practice was installed in 1999.

 


Shvut Rachel (Photo: Peace Now)

 

The State further asked the court to deny Peace Now's motion: "Since the matter of this issue is pending resolution, as evident in the actions taken to regulate (the construction), the requests brought forwards in the petition – especially the motion to raze buildings – should not be granted."

 

West Bank settlers consider Shvut Rachel a part of the Shilo settlement, but the 2005 Sasson Report on construction in the West Bank deemed it an illegal outpost.

 

Shvut Rachel is currently the home of 110 families. In late 2010, the State issued a cease and desist order over construction in Shvut Rachel, which was followed by demolition orders for 29 buildings.

 

Peace Now petitioned the High Court of Justice in March, complaining that construction in the outpost was ongoing in violation of the court's order.

 

Peace Now Director Yariv Oppenheimer said that "the Netanyahu government seeks to sanction one of the most isolated outposts in the territories… and it continues to expand the smaller, more isolated outposts.

 

"As far as Netanyahu is concerned, the world, the rule of law and Israel's political interests are null and void vis-à-vis the settlers wish to determine facts on the ground and ruin any chance for separating from the Palestinians.

 

"Netanyahu was and is the settler's lackey and they are calling the shots," Oppenheimer concluded.

 

 

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 10.03.11, 20:00
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