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IDF, settlers brace for Migron's eviction

Settlers wait for final High Court decision on illegal West Bank outpost's eviction; IDF gears for possible violent resistance by residents

Barring a last-minute delay by the High Court of Justice, the eviction of the illegal West Bank outpost of Migron has been set for Tuesday and both the settlers and the defense establishment are gearing for it.

 

The court still has to rule on a petition filed by one-third of the outpost's residents, who claim they have legal ownership of the land.

 

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Meanwhile, defense establishment sources expressed concern over the possibility that the settlers might mount a violent resistance to the eviction.

 

The decision to pursue a forceful eviction will eventually be made by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, subject to an operational assessment by the GOC Central Command.

 

In order to ameliorate the volatile situation, four known extreme right-wing activist have been banned from the area, and Shin Bet officials have met with several of the settlers' leaders, urging compliance with authorities.

 

Defense establishment sources said that while the IDF does not expect the residents of Migron themselves to clash with troops, there are concerns that external, extreme elements will pursue violent resistance and "price tag" acts against nearby Arab villages and IDF bases.

 

Major-General Eitan Dangot, the coordinator of Government activities in the territories, has sent the 33 Migron families who have not contested the eviction order, a letter asking them to leave by outpost by Tuesday, in according to their agreement with the State.

 

Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan said that "While an eviction prior to the court's ruling might be perceived as a good will gesture, it is not mandatory and at the moment – it's unnecessary. We have to wait for the court's decision.

 

"We were surprised by Dangot's letter, but there is no cause for concern. Nothing will happen before Tuesday," he said.

 

Coalition Chairman MK Zeev Elkin urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday to "rein in the legal system's clerks and prevent a clash."

 

Elkin maintained that "The decision to evict Migron stemmed from the claim that it was private land – but we cannot ignore the fact that the majority of the land was legally purchased (by the settlers).

 

"It makes no sense to evict Jews from lands they legally own. The position stated by the Ministerial Committee on Settlement – to delay the three-part eviction – is a reasonable one. The legal system's putsch in this matter is outrageous."

 

Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report  

 

 

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פרסום ראשון: 08.26.12, 07:58
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