Shortly after destroying three buildings in the “unauthorized neighborhood” of Maoz Esther – for the second time in two weeks – Border Guard forces continued westward to the hilltop community of Migron to destroy three huts there as well.
The destruction of the outpost, known Ramat Migron, proceeded without incident. Initial reports stated that dozens of youth were on hand hoping to stop the destruction, but were powerless to do so.
Ramat Migron is located just a few hundred meters outside Migron, near Tel Tzion and Beit El. Though on the official list of “illegal outposts,” Migron is an established community of 43 families which was built with the help of many government ministries over the past seven years. It is not currently on Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s list of communities to be destroyed, however, as the government intends to relocate the entire town slightly to the south within two years. The residents have not agreed to this plan.
Daniella Weiss, a long-time Gush Emunim settlement activist and former Mayor of Kedumim in the Shomron (Samaria), is one of the driving forces behind the establishment of Ramat Migron. Speaking with Israel National News, she preferred not to discuss the government, but rather the positive side of the story: “Rebuilding is already beginning, and a large celebration is planned for tomorrow night. Not only are we not not leaving these areas, but we are already planning to start new ones - near Shilo, at a site that was once an army outpost, and another one near Elon Moreh."
Official Announcement
The Land of Israel Faithful movement, which has been responsible for the formation of many new, small outpost neighborhoods throughout Yesha (Judea and Samaria) over the past two years, released this announcement: “In light of the continued destruction and ruination in the outposts, and following the expulsion in Maoz Esther, a major wave of building and new outposts will be launched in the coming days throughout Judea and Samaria in general, and in the Binyamin area in particular.”
Migron and Maoz Esther are both located in the Binyamin region, north of Jerusalem.
The statement continues: “The grassroots nationalist groups are determined to bring about growth and thriving in the neighborhoods of Yesha. The attempts to stop this process are destined to fail.”