At the behest of Quartet envoy Tony Blair the government has removed a major checkpoint and destroyed a young Jewish community.

The IDF removed a checkpoint at the “Sheep Junction” south of Hevron early on Sunday morning, opening the junction to Palestinian Authority Arabs.

The government decision to open the junction as a “good-will gesture” to the PA was challenged by security officials and local residents.

Local Jews have protested in the area in the mornings and evenings in recent weeks. They argue that opening the junction, where several terror attacks have taken place in the past, will lead to renewed attacks.

Terrorists carried out several recent attacks at the junction, killing three soldiers and escaping into PA-controlled territory defined as Area A (full PA security and administrative control). Residents are calling on the government to create an alternative traffic arrangement that would allow PA Arabs to move freely while maintaining the main road as a safe-passage for Israelis.

Police Evict Jews from Shvut Ami

Police evicted a group of Jews from the nascent community of Shvut Ami early on Sunday morning. Two residents were detained for questioning.

Land of Israel activists reported the event, and informed the public that 29-year-old Rivka Meirchik was arrested in Shvut Ami several weeks ago and has been held in the Neveh Tirza women’s prison ever since.

Activists called on human rights groups to fight on Meirchik’s behalf, and said they planned to file an appeal calling for her release to the Supreme Court on Sunday.

IDF Lifts Closure on Judea, Samaria

The IDF has lifted a closure on Judea and Samaria, IDF officials announced Sunday morning. The closure was put into place prior to Memorial Day.

During the days when the closure was in place, Palestinian Authority Arabs were not allowed to enter pre-1967 Israel without a special permit or medical emergency.

The IDF issued a statement Sunday, announcing the opening of an additional checkpoint near Jericho as well. "The Bet HaArava crossing will be opened and will remain open during the weekend," the statement said, adding that "ten other crossings were removed in the Nablus, Tulkarm and Qalqiliya vicinity, totaling 70 crossings that were removed during the month of May."