Israeli sources have reported that clashes took place between Israeli soldiers and settlers as the army arrived at the Ma’aleh Rehavam illegal outpost, one of three outposts Israel intends to evict. The army wanted to demolish seven illegal structures, including three homes.The sources said the army was attempting to implement a ruling by the Israeli High Court against 28 structures and buildings, in the illegitimate outposts built on private Palestinian lands.
According to Israeli Ynet News, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, and various officials, held talks with representatives of settlers in different settlements, including Gush Etzion and Benyamin, in an effort to reach an understanding that leads to voluntary eviction of 28 illegal buildings, including 16 inhabited structures.
It added that the talks last for six months following the Israeli High Court Ruling, but could not reach an understanding.
The Israeli Radio said the soldiers apprehended three of the Israelis involved, and sent them to an interrogation center.
The High Court ruling was made in November of last year, and the court instructed the army to demolish the buildings after the Palestinians filed appeals, and presented documents proving ownership of the lands.
In addition, Coordinator of Israeli Government Activities in the Occupied Territories, Yuav Mordechai, stated that the army contacted heads of settlements in an attempt to evict the structures peacefully, but the talks failed.
Palestinian officials said that Israel is trying to remove some random illegal outposts in an attempt to legalize its illegitimate settlements built on Palestinian lands, in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including in and around occupied East Jerusalem.
