The Civil Administration has announced its plan to uproot hundreds of fruit trees planted on lands between Alon Shvut and Elazar in Gush Etzion. The controversial orchard was planted several years ago by the "Women in Green" group, with the purpose of preventing Arab construction between the two settlements. Recently, after negotiations attempts have failed, the Civil Administration announced its decision, sparking the settlers' rage. The settlers claim the move "is nothing more than harassment" by the Administration. "This is simply maliciousness," said Yehudit Katzover, one of the project initiators, referring to the fact that the trees were planted on "survey land", i.e. land sans an official owner, which has yet to be officially declared as State-owned land. "We don't understand Defense Minister Barak anymore. We have signed a document saying that we will not attempt to build houses on this land or claim it in any way. Why do they have to rip out those trees?" Katzover said that if removed, the trees will be immediately replanted, adding that the current struggle is meant to prevent the decision's execution. "Women in Green" has already filed a court appeal on the Administration's decision, and also turned to the Lobby for the Land of Israel in the Knesset for help. The Lobby, led by MK Zeev Elkin (Likud), sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protesting the decision as it "contradicts the government's stance, and is nothing more than governmental callousness." The Gush Etzion Regional Council also raged at the decision. Council Chairman Davidi Pearl said: "This not an issue of illegal construction, but of saving national lands. By planting the trees we're fighting EU aided Palestinian attempts to fracture the territorial continuum of Gush Etzion settlements. A Right wing source added: "This is yet another attempt by the Administration to test us and put us in the corner. We have no intention to be quite about such unnecessary destruction." The Civil Administration was unavailable for comment. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter