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Israeli Forces Remove Dozens of Settlers From Hebron Homes Israeli Forces Remove Dozens of Settlers From Hebron Homes
(about 9 hours later)
JERUSALEM — Israeli troops forcibly removed about 80 Jewish settlers on Friday from two houses in Hebron, in the West Bank, a day after they had moved into the buildings they say were bought from Palestinians. JERUSALEM — Israeli troops forcibly removed about 80 Jewish settlers on Friday from two houses in Hebron, in the West Bank, a day after they had moved into the buildings they said were purchased from Palestinians.
Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said the settlers had broken the law by not getting permission from the military to enter the houses and had not been granted the permits required to carry out real estate deals in the West Bank.Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said the settlers had broken the law by not getting permission from the military to enter the houses and had not been granted the permits required to carry out real estate deals in the West Bank.
The divided city of Hebron is a subject of contention between Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, and the military checkpoints guarding Israeli settlements in the area have been regular targets in a recent wave of stabbings, rock throwing and protests by Palestinians.The divided city of Hebron is a subject of contention between Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, and the military checkpoints guarding Israeli settlements in the area have been regular targets in a recent wave of stabbings, rock throwing and protests by Palestinians.
The removal of the settlers in Hebron went relatively peacefully, but it prompted some Israeli legislators from the right to threaten to withhold support for the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Some ministers in the government also criticized the action. The removal of the settlers in Hebron went relatively peacefully, but it prompted some Israeli legislators from the right to threaten to withhold support for the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The settlers said they had legally bought the two houses from Palestinians, who could face charges as it is illegal to sell property in the area to Israelis. Some ministers in the government also criticized the action.
The settlers said they had legally bought the two houses from Palestinians, who could face charges because it is illegal to sell property in the area to Israelis.
Hebron, a city of about 220,000, is divided by the army, which protects about 850 Jewish settlers and the Cave of the Patriarchs, a site revered by Jews that sits alongside the Ibrahimi Mosque, worshiped by Muslims as the Sanctuary of Abraham.Hebron, a city of about 220,000, is divided by the army, which protects about 850 Jewish settlers and the Cave of the Patriarchs, a site revered by Jews that sits alongside the Ibrahimi Mosque, worshiped by Muslims as the Sanctuary of Abraham.
Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said that the decision by Mr. Yaalon to remove the settlers was “scandalous,” and Diaspora Affairs Minister Zeev Elkin called it “wrong.”Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said that the decision by Mr. Yaalon to remove the settlers was “scandalous,” and Diaspora Affairs Minister Zeev Elkin called it “wrong.”
Malachi Levinger, head of the local council of Kiryat Arba, outside Hebron, told Israel Radio that the sale of the two houses had begun several years ago and that paperwork had been submitted to the Israeli government upon completion. Malachi Levinger, head of the local council of Kiryat Arba, outside Hebron, told Israel Radio that the sale of the two houses had begun several years ago and that paperwork had been submitted to the Israeli government when the deal was completed.
“We know that the civil administration and the Defense Ministry work very slowly, sometimes intentionally,” Mr. Levinger said. “So in order to hold onto the houses, after buying it for a very lot of money, we decided to move in and look out for our property.” “We know that the civil administration and the Defense Ministry work very slowly, sometimes intentionally,” Mr. Levinger said.
“So in order to hold onto the houses, after buying it for a very lot of money, we decided to move in and look out for our property.”
Asked if they had obtained authorization, he said, “We do not have to complete all the paperwork before moving in.”Asked if they had obtained authorization, he said, “We do not have to complete all the paperwork before moving in.”
Mr. Yaalon said that “the state of Israel is a state of law,” and that “the law in Hebron was grossly broken.”Mr. Yaalon said that “the state of Israel is a state of law,” and that “the law in Hebron was grossly broken.”
He continued: “Several actions need to be taken in order to take possession of a house — and not a single one of them was taken. Consequently, the squatters were evicted.”He continued: “Several actions need to be taken in order to take possession of a house — and not a single one of them was taken. Consequently, the squatters were evicted.”
Mr. Yaalon called on ministers and lawmakers to act responsibly. “The settlements are important to me, and I take action” to defend them, he said. “But I won’t compromise on the law.” Mr. Yaalon called on ministers and lawmakers to act responsibly.
“The settlements are important to me, and I take action” to defend them, he said. “But I won’t compromise on the law.”
The military sealed the doors of the houses, which the police said would remain sealed until the courts rule on their ownership.The military sealed the doors of the houses, which the police said would remain sealed until the courts rule on their ownership.