Despite the High Court ruling that the settlement should be evacuated, in the past year more than 70 new buildings and construction upgrades have been built around the illegal outpost "Khan al-Ahmar", the Jerusalem Envelope Forum reveals.
Field surveillance shows that in 2021, illegal construction continued uninterrupted, with Bedouin forum members claiming they were exploiting the government's reluctance to evacuate the outpost and working to create a territorial continuum of outposts that would make future evacuations difficult.
The High Court has previously ruled that Khan al-Ahmar should be evacuated, but the evacuation has repeatedly been delayed by various excuses. The plots include water and electricity infrastructure, and can accommodate about 70 families, who will receive the plots free of charge.
In about two weeks, the state will be required to answer why the outpost members will not be evacuated, but it seems that while the government is delaying law enforcement - the Bedouin are establishing facts on the ground.
From the data revealed by the Jerusalem Envelope Forum, it can be seen that in dozens of Bedouin points located north and south of Road No. 1, 74 new illegal structures have been built in the past year.
Among the buildings are huts, sheds, sheepfolds, upgrading and enlarging existing buildings, and more.
Slide right to view illegal construction from last year:
The Bedouin clusters are adjacent to major localities and roads, which puts thousands of residents and passengers in front of the real danger of stone attacks, thefts and other criminal incidents.
According to Boaz Ido, chairman of the Jerusalem Envelope Forum, the new illegal construction is a negligent omission.
"In the face of the government's inability to deal with construction and the Khan al-Ahmar illegal outpost, the Bedouin understand that some of them have had an unprecedented opportunity to grow and expand unhindered."
"The negligent failure of the Civil Administration and the government to deal with the illegal construction raises serious questions regarding their commitment to the taxpayers and loyal residents of the State of Israel. It is time to wake up, because while the government runs to the courts with papers, the Bedouin establish facts on the ground," says Ido.
"Data is inaccurate"
The Civil Administration responded: "It should be noted that the data are inaccurate and that the area in question is under ongoing supervision and monitoring, and as long as there is illegal construction this is addressed through the supervision and enforcement channels. Enforcement in this area and in general, is carried out .
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