Author: AFSI Staff

Israel’s decision to evict all 53 Jewish families from Evyatar should send a clear signal to the European Union (EU) that its days of financing and facilitating the building of unauthorized Arab structures in Area C are over.

Area C comprises about 60% of the Judea and Samaria and has been under Israel’s full security and administrative control since the 1995 Oslo Accords were signed.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s declaration in January 2020 – made before he was elected Israel’s Prime Minister – should now set off alarm bells in the EU:

“Our objective is that within a short amount of time, and we will work for it, we will apply [Israeli] sovereignty to all of Area C, not just the settlements, not just this bloc or another… We are embarking on a real and immediate battle for the future of the land of Israel and the future of Area C”.

AFSI prays Prime Minister Bennett will stay true to his word and that Israel will see the full application of Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.

Sources:
Israel signals end to EU-funded unauthorized building in Area C, by David Singer/Arutz Sheva, July 5, 2021

The Evyatar Outpost: Israel’s New Pioneers, by Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen/BESA Center, July 5, 2021

Israeli aircraft struck a Hamas rocket launcher and weapons factory in the Gaza Strip over the weekend in response to incendiary balloons that were launched towards southern Israel from the enclave throughout the weekend.

“The strikes were made in response to the arson balloons fired towards Israeli territory. The IDF will continue to respond firmly against terror attempts from the Gaza Strip,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement.

During the strikes, machine guns were fired towards Israel but did not set off any alarms, the military said. There were no reports of any injuries in the strikes or from the machine-gun fire.

At the start of the cabinet meeting on Sunday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, “I would like to clarify again: Things have changed. Israel wants quiet and we have no desire to harm the people of Gaza. However, violence – balloons, marches, harassment of any kind – will be met with a severe response.” People want to live a peaceful life where they practice craps online, work, do sports, etc.

Source:
Israel strikes Hamas targets in response to incendiary balloons, by Anna Ahronheim/Jerusalem Post, July 4, 2021

 

 

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett agreed to advance the legalization of Evyatar as part of a compromise agreement by which its residents would agree to voluntarily evacuate. They will be offered the possibility of resettling in Evyatar if the land is verified to be state-owned.

The compromise deal was announced earlier this week by the Nahala movement and the Samaria Regional Council, which spearheaded Evyatar’s construction last month. The scope and the speed of the community’s ability to receive a nod of approval for a new Jewish community on a Judea/Samaria hilltop is unusual and represents a victory for the grassroots movement. Nahala movement head Daniella Weiss said. “The strengths of Evyatar’s residents illuminate the Zionist spirit.”

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan said he was ultimately satisfied with the agreement. “The compromise we agreed upon is not the deal of our dreams,” he said. “But each side took steps to meet the other for the sake of Israel in these difficult days when the nation is divided.”

Meretz MK Mossi Raz condemned the deal in no uncertain terms, hinting at a possible coalition crisis just weeks after the new government was sworn in.

Bezalel Smotrich stated: “There’s a limit to hypocrisy. As long as Khan al-Ahmar and tens of thousands of other illegal Arab structures remain standing, there is no reason in the world for Evyatar to be evacuated. The settlers showed responsibility and agreed to a compromise that discriminated against them – to avoid a confrontation. The government must stand behind the agreements and if it withdraws them it would bear full responsibility for the results.”

MK Itamar Ben-Gvir warned Evyatar residents to watch out because “I fear Bennett will cheat you. He did not say this was a core promise. I’m afraid that the government will eventually decide to evacuate the settlement of Evyatar and claim that ‘we promised not to evacuate, but we didn’t promise to abide by the arrangement.”

While a compromise is not the decision we hoped for, it will have to do for now. The full evacuation of another Jewish community on legally owned Jewish land is something we cannot bear to hear about again. Community leaders are positive about this deal and no buildings will be demolished. We hope Prime Minister Bennett, if he keeps this “Frankenstein Coalition” (term borrowed from Jonathan Pollard) together will keep his word and not reverse course. We pray that the government confirms – what we know to be true – that Evyatar is found to be on state-held land and that the Jewish presence there will be regularized with no delay.

Sources:
Bennett to advance Evyatar outpost legalization, settlers to evacuate, by Tovah Lazaroff/Jerusalem Post, July 1, 2021

Meretz outraged over Evyatar deal, hints at coalition split, by Arutz Sheva Staff, June 30, 2021

Ben-Gvir Warns Evyatar Settlers Bennett Is Out to Swindle Them and He May Not Be Entirely Wrong, by David Israel/Jewish Press, June 30, 2021

What Does Smotrich Know About Evyatar and Why Are Bennett’s People Angry at Him?, by David Israel/Jewish Press, June 29, 2021

Stung by accusations that his government’s policy on Iran endangered the country, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took a tough stance Wednesday, vowing that Israel would not hesitate to take any measures to defend itself.

“Israel will not restrain itself when ensuring its security,” said Bennett at the memorial service for the founder of modern political Zionism, Theodor Herzl, at the Jerusalem site that bears his name. The State of Israel will always defend itself,” he said. “We will act resolutely and continuously against any emerging threats, both within and without.”

Bennett was speaking after Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Foreign Minister Yair Lapid had promised the U.S. a policy of “no surprises” regarding Israel’s response to the Iranian threat. Netanyahu claimed this could pose a serious threat to Israel’s security.

Bennett also downplayed reports of internal disputes in his patchwork coalition, made up of eight parties from across Israel’s political spectrum, saying that there was broad consensus on most issues under consideration.

“We are learning how to manage our disagreements. We are managing to understand what we do agree on, and that’s a lot. Most of the things that have an impact on our lives are agreed upon by all of us, so we can move forward quickly and harmoniously.”

Whatever kinks Bennett’s coalition is working through, we pray they are all in 100% agreement that Iran can never obtain nuclear weapons. That should be obvious to all.

Source:
Bennett: Israel will not restrain itself when defending itself, by Gilad Cohen/Ynetnews.com, July 1, 2021

 

 

 

 

After months of legal proceedings, an illegal Arab structure that invaded state lands in Samaria and threatened the integrity of the Khirbat Kurqush archaeological site was demolished on Wednesday.

The Regavim movement sharply criticized the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, which acted to enforce the law at the site only in response to a petition to the High Court and a series of warnings received throughout the construction process of the illegal Arab structure.

The building in question was part of an ongoing invasion carried out from the area of ​​the village of Bruqin, located within the Palestinian Authority, towards the industrial area of ​​the city of Ariel, which is in Area C, under full Israeli control. The takeover area is legally defined as survey lands, which are state lands in Area C whose registration has not yet been completed.

“We welcome the enforcement of the law, but we fail to understand why the Civil Administration only woke up after being reprimanded and fined by the High Court following the petition we filed in the matter,” said Regavim attorneys Avi Segal and Yael Sinmon. “The whole purpose of the order for the removal of new structures is to allow for immediate enforcement within a few days, and here it lasted so many long months. The Civil Administration is trying to shake off public criticism of its inefficiency, but if in this case it acted so slowly, it’s no wonder that it fails systemically in its role of preserving the open spaces in Judea and Samaria,” the attorneys said.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, noted that “the protection of the historical treasures of this country is our duty, and the repeated attempts of the barbaric Palestinian Authority to damage historic assets—not only of the State of Israel but of all mankind—must be stopped. The government, with all its offices, must do its part in this regard.”

Photo courtesy of Regavim

Source:
High Court Heeds Regavim’s Petition, Enforces Demolition of Invasive Arab Structure in Archaeological Site, by David Israel/Jewish Press, July 1, 2021

 

 

Evyatar residents in Samaria on Monday approved by a large majority a compromise outline reached with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

According to the approved outline, Evyatar’s residents will leave the place by the end of the week, all the homes will remain intact, and the defense ministry will establish a base for an IDF company on the grounds immediately.

Then, on Rosh Chodesh Elul, in about six weeks, a new Hesder yeshiva will be established on the site, which will employ some of the residents and provide housing to the students.

Meanwhile, a directive will be issued to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories to complete a land survey of the area within six months. That land will be cleared by the survey and be declared state land, on which a community will be established in coordination with the prime minister, the defense minister, the head of the Samaria regional council, and the Nahala movement.

Otzma Yehudit chairman MK Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that the outline is “ludicrous,” seeing as the Israeli government regulates thousands of Bedouin homes in the Negev, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t regulate the settlement of Evyatar.”

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, pointed out the outline includes both a military presence and a horizon for ‘settlement,’ making it a strategic outline. Establishing ‘settlements’ in the Land of Israel and the Samaria ‘settlements’ at the heart of the state is a difficult national mission. The Land of Israel is paid for with pain, and neither side here has defeated the other. In the end, our main mission is to build the Land of Israel and maintain unity among the people of Israel with love for Israel.”

Though opposing in their viewpoints, both Ben-Gvir and Dagan are right. We are grateful that Evyatar is not slated for full demolition like other Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria have been in the past. That a compromise had to be reached on legally owned Jewish land to examine if the ‘outpost’ can be legalized troubles us. It doesn’t sound like full Sovereignty is being enforced.

Source:
Compromise Reached on Evyatar: Residents Leave, New Hesder Yeshiva Established, by David Israel/Jewish Press, June 28, 2021

 

The Knesset Arrangements Committee voted on Monday to waive the cooling-off period and expedite a bill that would make it easier to split the Likud Party.

Under the current law, one-third of the Knesset members in the faction are required to enable MKs to break off. The new bill, which was set to be brought to a preliminary reading in the plenum on Monday night, would change the law and require only four MKs.

The goal of the bill is to enable the coalition to recruit four of the 30 Likud MKs and no longer have to rely on the four Ra’am (United Arab List) MKs, who have given the coalition a hard time in passing the controversial family reunification bill.

“We believe that in a month’s time they will comprehend that they are stuck in the opposition and will prepare to join the coalition,” New Hope faction head Sharren Haskel said.

The family reunification bill was not brought to a vote because the coalition still lacks a majority. Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu offered the coalition support to pass a two-month extension of the current family reunification ordinance in return for the coalition backing the passage of a stronger immigration law. The coalition rejected the offer.

Source:
Coalition banks on defectors from Likud, by Gil Hoffman/Jerusalem Post, June 28, 2021

 

 

 

The Regavim Movement filed a petition in the High Court of Justice last week calling on it to use legislation against the Palestinian Authority’s “de facto annexation” in the Gush Etzion region. The PA is building a road in Area C, under full Israeli sovereignty as per the 1994 Oslo Accords, which connects the Arab villages of Batir and Husan.

Last week, Regavim submitted a second urgent alert to Minister of Defense Benny Gantz and to the IDF’s Civil Administration demanding immediate enforcement action against the PA’s strategic project in Gush Etzion. The two have yet to act.

The road, that the land on which the PA is laying the road, is of particular strategic importance because it constitutes the corridor connecting Gush Etzion to Jerusalem, and “is a vital strategic asset for Israeli control of the area,” said Eitan Melet, Regavim’s Field Coordinator for Judea and Samaria. Melet also documented the illegal work. He further stated, “The Batir road is one more attempt to dismantle Israeli sovereignty. The road work must be stopped – yesterday! – and we must prevent the creation of a Palestinian state right under our noses. Protection of Israeli state land and law enforcement against illegal construction, land-grabs and encroachment on our national resources must be at the very top of the list of priorities of every Israeli official.”

Source:
Watchdog Petitions High Court to act against PA’s ‘de facto Annexation’ in Gush Etzion Region, by Aryeh Savir/TPS, June 24, 2021

Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Wednesday rolled out a major initiative to establish additional pillars in Israel’s quasi-constitution by finally regulating the separation of powers between the three branches of government.

Sa’ar announced that he would hold a first meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Basic Laws on Sunday to begin to map out the issues which would need to be addressed to delineate the balance of authorities between the Knesset and the Supreme Court.

“Arriving at a political agreement regarding a Basic Law on Legislation will be a very challenging goal, to put it mildly. That said, it is the greatest service we can do for Israeli democracy,” said Sa’ar.

Though Israel technically has no constitution, since the 1990s, the Knesset has passed a series of basic laws with quasi-constitutional status.

Unlike some parties on the Right that have wanted to pass a law to limit the Supreme Court’s powers, or some on the Left that have opposed reforms of any kind to the Supreme Court’s powers, Sa’ar favors spelling out limits for each branch of government.

The initiative Sa’ar wants to roll out is long overdue for Israel. By instituting limits for each government branch, Israel will have a stronger checks and balances system and a stronger enforcement against powers and responsibilities being abused. He faces a long road ahead; but done right this would be a boon to Israeli democracy.

Source:
Sa’ar rolls out push for separation of powers in Israel’s gov’t, by Yonah Jeremy Bob/Jerusalem Post, June 23, 2021

 

A total of 31 construction plans for projects in various phases in Judea and Samaria were approved on Wednesday by the Civil Administration under the Lapid-Bennett government, according to Ynet.

The subcommittee on settlements in the Civil Administration approved limited construction plans in the Jewish communities of Elkana, Mishor Adumim, Karnei Shomron, Kfar Adumim and Yitzhar.

Among the projects approved were a school for children with special needs in Elkana, a shopping mall in Mishor Adumim and yeshivas and synagogues in Karnei Shomron and Kfar Adumim. Construction of 31 housing units in Yitzhar was also approved.

In response to the government announcement, the Yesha Council (Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria) clarified Wednesday night that construction plans must be approved by the Higher Planning Council, and that hasn’t happened yet. The Yesha Council said in a statement quoted by Israel’s Channel 20 News, “What was approved today were not building plans.

“It is the Higher Planning Council that approves construction of housing units throughout the area. We have been waiting six months for approval of housing construction; we have waited long enough.”

This is a step in the right direction for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s new government. Our question is: will this push the Higher Planning Council to give the long overdue green light for construction without exacting too high a price for their nod? We pray that it will work out.

Source:
Lapid-Bennett Government Approves Judea & Samaria Building Projects, by Hana Levi Julian/Jewish Press, June 23, 2021