Amona settlers hold emergency meeting
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Amona settlers threaten to return to illegal outpost after evacuation
'The hand that evacuates Amona is not that of the police or the army, but of Bennett and Netanyahu. If you can't solve the problem—resign,' say Amona residents; Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan warns of 'uprooting for the sake of uprooting.'
The residents of Amona threatened on Tuesday to return to the illegal outpost it is evacuated after the prime minister's bureau chief announced the compromise deal signed between them and the government could not be implemented.
"A day after the evacuation we'll come back here, again and again," announced Avichai Buaron, the head of the Amona struggle, during an emergency meeting.
"The hand that evacuates Amona is not that of the police or the army, but of (Education Minister) Naftali Bennett and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu," Buaron added. "If you can't solve the problem—resign. The public won't forget this."
Photo: Gil Yohanan
The settlers demanded the government to honor their side of the agreement—which would see the construction of 24 alternatives homes on a nearby plot in return for a peaceful evacuation—and warned of a painful and difficult evacuation otherwise.
"Thirty-six days after signing the agreement and 14 days before the evacuation of Amona, and so far construction has yet to begin," Buaron said.
The emergency meeting was also attended by head of the Samaria Regional Council Yossi Dagan, Rabbi Haim Drukman, Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, and the residents of nine houses in the nearby settlement of Ofra that are also set for evacuation.
"We call on everyone to come here next week and support us. This is a war for justice," declared Ofra resident Esther Brot.
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Rabbi Elyakim Levanon sent a message to Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying "Our hearts are with you in the difficult days you are experiencing. Your future rests on the balance. If you show your love for the land of Israel, your term will continue," referring to the ongoing police investigations against Netanyahu.
Former MK Ya'akov "Katzele" Katz addressed the ministers of the Bayit Yehudi party, saying "Naftali Bennett must go to the prime minister and tell him 'We won't take part in a government that demolishes communities.' Those who hurt the land of Israel will disappear from the political map. The public will not forgive you."
Photo: Gil Yohanan
He called on "all students, the thousands and tens of thousands, to come up on the mountain (to Amona), but heaven forbid not raise a hand" on police or military personnel who will take part in the evacuation.
"We came here because of an injustice," said Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan. "It's clear to all that no one stole land. What might happen here is an uprooting for the sake of uprooting."
He rejected the prime minister's criticism of the Regulation Bill, saying "there is no international pressure, and anyone who says there is, is lying. The residents here don't want a conflict. They were and remain willing to do unusual things to save this mountain."
The High Court of Justice decided to freeze construction of the alternative houses and a hearing on the matter was scheduled for next Tuesday.
