Inspectors in Beit Yehonatan
Motion to delay enclosure of Beit Yehonatan denied
Jerusalem Administrative Court rejects petition filed by east Jerusalem Jewish residents against order to evacuate building. Structure to be cleared within days
Jerusalem Administrative Court Judge Nava Ben-Or rejected a motion filed by residents of the Beit Yehonantan
building in Silwan to delay the implementation of an order to seal off the structure.
The order was consequently approved by all legal instances.
Police have stressed in the past its willingness to support the efforts of Jerusalem Municipality inspectors during the procedure, which is likely to take place in the coming days.
Municipal workers visited the site a month ago in order to perform measurements ahead of the order's implementation.
The distribution of eviction orders was canceled at the last minute while municipal elements began planning a way to include the building in the municipal construction plan. The plan was rejected.
The delay in the order's enforcement has led to a fierce conflict between State Prosecutor Moshe Lador and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
The Beit Yehonatan building contains seven floors, only two of which were approved according to the outline plans. The Jewish settlers entered the building in 2007 and are supported by the Ateret Cohanim foundation which works to boost Jewish presence in east Jerusalem.
