Because of illegal construction: The IDF has extended an order preventing Palestinians from entering Amona

Palestinian landowners petitioned the High Court demanding that they be allowed free access to the outpost area that was vacated three years ago and closed by decree. The state justified the ban in fear of friction and explained that petitioners should apply for permits.

Because of illegal construction: The IDF has extended an order preventing Palestinians from entering Amona

(Video: Evacuation of Outposts in Amona)

IDF extended order prohibiting entry into Amona outpost because Israelis erected buildings illegally - according to the State Attorney's response to a petition by Palestinian residents against the order preventing their entry. "The demarcation order was recently reviewed by the IDF commander in the US, and this is Found that in view of the illegal construction placed in the restricted area during the past year, the order's title is necessary, "the response filed with the High Court read. A petition hearing will be held next week.

The outpost was evacuated in 2017 in accordance with a High Court ruling following a petition by Palestinians who claimed it was private Palestinian land, and since then the area has been designated as a closed military zone and can only be entered in coordination. The purpose of the order is to "establish law and order in space, prevent the erection of illegal buildings there, and prevent Friction events in which injuries to the body or property can be caused, "the state response to the High Court reads. However, several times Israelis came to the area and even erected buildings without a permit, while Palestinians were denied access to the place.

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Closed military area. Evacuation of Amona outpost in 2017 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Outpost of Amona during the recent demolition of its buildings after its evacuation from residents and demonstrators, February 8, 2017 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Following this, Palestinians claiming ownership of the land and the heads of nearby councils who applied for their land filed a petition in January through Yesh Din. In the petition, they ask that the army allow them free access to land and that the Israelis who entered the enclosed area be prosecuted and erected buildings illegally. "Two years have passed and petitioners' entry into their land is prohibited," it said. "The petitioners' attempts to return to their lands were blocked, this time by an order issued by the respondent, which prohibits their entry into the land they own. The excuses used to take it out at the time it was issued were initially intended to" allow the evacuation "and maintain order to prevent friction on the ground. Various Israelis, including municipal authorities, are doing their own thing. "

In addition, in response to the military's position, the petitioners must apply for permits to enter the lands: "It is clear that the means of closing the area completely and directing the petitioners to the permitting mechanism is the most offensive means. It should be mentioned that while the order is an order of time, which is supposed to reduce the violation of rights, Standing for two years - an unreasonably long period of time when it comes to preventing a person from accessing his private property. "

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Amona outpost in 2017 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Amona, January 2017 (Photo: Reuven Castro)

In response, the state refers to a series of cases where Israeli citizens entered the area without a permit and the extension of the injunction prohibiting entry due to illegal construction. This was in response to the case a year ago, when the Binyamin Regional Council set up two buildings on the ground and Minister Bezalel Smutrich took the place together with Gantz Councilor and Samaria Mayor Yossi Dagan, and Culture Minister Miri Regev arrived to inaugurate the outpost. And that, in contrast to the order that began on the spot. The council claimed that the land had been duly purchased, but the purchase documents had not yet been approved and the buildings were subsequently evacuated by the security forces. Another case happened last August, so Israelis rose to Amona before Saturday and were there with tents. According to the state's response, they were evacuated Saturday night, summoned for questioning and released.

The state explained in response to the High Court that "from the time of the evacuation of the outpost until now, the security forces are working to prevent Israelis from entering the area in several ways: The Benjaminite Regional Division assigns military forces to conduct daily on-site tours, it conducts photographic observation on the outpost access road, and Iron is locked for the purpose of preventing entry into the area. " This matter is in the care of the spatial division these days. However, there is no practical option to completely prevent inbound access to the area. "