The Torah ark, after the demolition
Photo: Shomron Settlers' Committee
Outpost built in memory of Fogel family razed
Civil Administration, IDF forces demolish Givat Ariyeh outpost, set up after murder of five family members in Itamar
Civil Administration personnel and police and IDF forces on Wednesday night razed the illegal West Bank outpost of Givat Ariyeh, located near Itamar.
The outpost, which was set up following the murder of the five Fogel family members in March, housed two families and five men.
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During the operation, three permanent structure, two makeshift structures and a synagogue were razed. The demolition team met no resistance, but the settlers claimed that the forces also destroyed a control panel and the electricity system that powered a security camera purchased by the Shomron Regional Council in the aftermath of the Itamar murders.
The council stressed that the camera was purchased by donations, and was not funded by the Defense Ministry.
Taking apart the Synagogue (Photo: Shomron Settlers' Committee)
"As a result, the entire community is cut off from the electronic security system that protected it since the massacre," claimed a council member.
A security official argued in response that the electric system was built illegally and was disconnected in order to prevent the Civil Administration personnel from being electrocuted during the demolition.
Meanwhile, the Shomron Settler Committee claimed that a garden, a holy ark and religious artifacts were destroyed during the demolition, adding that three torah scrolls were confiscated as well.
Shomron Regional Council head Gershon Mesika arrived at the site shortly after the demolition work had begun and expressed his support for the residents, vowing that the outpost will be rebuilt.
"To brutally destroy a neighborhood built in memory of the (Fogel) Family immediately after their murderers' verdict was read is an obtuse and evil act," he said.
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