Hallel Ariel
Hallel Ariel's parents join fight against outpost evacuation
After it was declared that Mitzpe Avihai, a seven family outpost, would be evacuated, the parents of slain terror victim Hallel Ariel have declared their opposition to the decision; 'If Mitzpe had been settled before the murder, the terrorist would have never been able to reach us,' says Hallel's mother Rina.
Rina and Amichai Ariel, whose daughter Hallel was murdered in June in her own bed by a Palestinian terrorist, have taken on the fight against the evacuation of the Mitzpe Avihai outpost, located in the West Bank.
In a letter they addressed to the government, the parents asked that the seven families living at the site, which has already been evacuated a number of times, be allowed to remain there. Hallel's mother Rina futher described the site as a strategic vantage point. "If Mitzpe had been settled before the murder, the terrorist would have never been able to reach us."
Rina and Amichai Hallel (Photo:Yoav Dudkevitch)
So far, the government has tried to engage the settling families in a discussion, but no progress has been made in terms of their removal. After repeated past evacuations, the government is currently not allowing any new building to be carried out. Claiming that the evacuation is due to take place after the 30-day memorial of Hallel's murder, Rina declared, "We cannot allow this to happen."
The Mitzpe Avihai outpost (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Earlier this month, Rina Hallel had asked the government permission to conduct a memorial prayer service for her daughter at Temple Mount during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Normally, Jews are not allowed to pray at the site, but following her request, Ariel was granted special permission for the event.
Hallel Ariel
It should also be noted that the land on which the Mitzpe Avihai outpost has been erected is impossible to reach without passing through Palestinian territory. Amichai Hallel explained that the idea of a bridge has been suggested, but that so far no progress in the matter has been made.
