Internal documents of the Nablus Border Police Battalion stationed at the Tapuach base in Samaria, obtained by Israel Hayom, reveal that in 2021-2017, about 90 per cent of the Border Police's activity in securing evacuation and demolition operations for illegal construction was directed to Jewish settlements. Settlement sources claim that this is proof of selective enforcement in Judea and Samaria.
On the other hand, law enforcement officials have long presented data indicating that there is more activity against Palestinian homes. Last July, it was revealed that 2022 out of 500,1 Palestinian structures were demolished in 600, compared with 67 Israeli structures out of 340 detected.
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However, documents obtained by Israel Hayom reflect a completely different picture, according to which the vast majority of demolitions carried out in Samaria in 2021-2017 were directed against illegal Israeli construction.
Disparities in arrests as well
The documents indicate that the Border Police carried out 89 demolition incidents in Samaria during these years, 80 of which were carried out in Israeli hills and communities. Among the demolition and evacuation operations are a large number of demolitions in Yeshiva Homesh and Yitzhar, confiscation of equipment and destruction of the Jewish farm located on Mount Ibal, as well as destruction in Havat Gilad, Tapuach and Elon Moreh.
Havat Gilad, Photo: Gideon Markowitz
Another figure that emerges from the documents is the number of detainees in the demolition operations. While in a series of demolitions carried out in the Jewish settlement, notes noted that arrests had been made, in the nine evictions in the Arab sector, not a single person was arrested.
"To see these figures in black and white in an official police document is outrageous and incomprehensible, but we cannot say that we are surprised. Anyone who has lived in Samaria in recent years has seen with his own eyes how the vast majority of Border Police forces in the area are directed against the Jewish side, whether through repeated demolition campaigns or through arrests and false detainments."
Police evacuate tourist observatory in Yitzhar, photo: None
"The number of illegal Arab structures demolished here a year we always said could be counted on the palm of one hand, and here these figures come and prove that we even appreciated it."
"It is clear that the Border Police also participate from time to time in security operations within Arab cities, and this is welcome and appreciated, but when it comes to house demolitions, it can be seen that there is clear selective enforcement to the detriment of the Jewish side."
Partial representation only
For their part, enforcement officials claim that this is only a partial representation. Civil Administration sources told Israel Hayom that IDF fighters are often the ones securing the evacuation of illegal Palestinian homes, while the Border Police is directed to evacuate Israelis, which require a skilled police force.
Residents of Mitzpe Yitzhar after the demolition of the buildings,
A police spokesperson said in response: "The entity that decides on evacuation and demolition operations is the Civil Administration, and therefore they should be contacted. The Israel Police is a factor that assists in carrying out these decisions."
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