Israel Postpones Dismantling Illegal Settlements
Israel had initially promised to force an evacuation of the illegal settlement but has kicked it at least six months down the road
The Israeli government says it is postponing the dismantlement of illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, directly contradicting earlier promises to destroy the outposts.
The settlement of Givat Assaf is an illegal settlement, but the Israeli government will postpone dealing with calls for its demolition by about six months. The settlers occupying the property lobbied for the decision and will continue discussions with Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser and representatives of the State Prosecutor’s Office on the justification for the postponement.
Givat Assaf is one of six illegal settlements that the activist group Peace Now petitioned the High Court to order demolished. At first, the Israeli government said it would negotiate with the residents of the settlers for a voluntary evacuation, which never happened. Then the High Court ruled against the legality of the outposts and demolition seemed inevitable.
But political pressure on the Netanyahu administration and protests by pro-settler activists prevented the move. This also occurred in tandem with a rise in settler violence and harassment towards Palestinians – so called “price-tag” attacks – which also started to target Peace Now activists.
At this point, the issue has merely been kicked down the road. Meanwhile, the Israeli government termed its expansion of almost 2,000 new homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank as retribution for Palestine’s UNESCO victory. This indicates the serious crime of collective punishment and is not helped by the ongoing presence of radical Jewish settlers in outposts like Givat Assaf.
Last 5 posts by John Glaser
- US, European Officials Dismiss Claims of Iran-Qaeda Connection - February 22nd, 2012
- Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei: We Will Never Seek Nuclear Weapons - February 22nd, 2012
- Israel Approves Construction of 695 Housing Units in West Bank - February 22nd, 2012
- Yemenis Elect New US Puppet in Sham Single-Candidate Election - February 21st, 2012
- Children Abused by Somali Militants, Some With US Support - February 21st, 2012
Zia Ahad
November 10th, 2011 at 6:17 am
Indeed, why should Israel dismantle any settlement? Its very occupation of Palestine is patently illegal. Maybe Palestinians could be persuaded to encourage Israel to construct settlements all over the West Bank. It will be nice to have ready-made houses to move into when this world's last bastion of apartheid implodes. Zionism, after all, is raw racism and can only self-destruct. Amazing, though, how a black American President can be made to do its bidding!
Roger Lafontaine
November 10th, 2011 at 7:52 am
Postpone dismantling 'illegal' settlements? Aren't they all illegal? Oh well then, give them another billion in fighter jets and bunker busting bombs. That should do it – for another week or so.
thedissenter
November 10th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Israel postpones dismantling illegal settlements while building new illegal settlements. Now, that's the way to go!