Despite the recent destruction of several outposts, members of the Land of Israel Faithful remained optimistic this week, announcing that they would build 30 new outposts over the summer. The group is planning new Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria in protest of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's promise that no new Jewish towns will be built in the area.
The planned outposts, like previous outposts, will be built near existing Jewish communities.
Activists said that while focusing on new outposts, they would continue to strengthen eight existing outposts created in the last two years, and would rebuild them as necessary. The eight newest outposts have been destroyed several times by security forces.
Members of the Land of Israel Faithful expressed hope that the 30 new outposts would make it easier to maintain the eight current outposts as well. “With God's help, [the outposts] will cause a shift from the current destruction and demolition to a trend of building and growth,” they said.
Mitzpe Avichai Destroyed Again
The Mitzpe Avichai outpost near Kiryat Arba was destroyed on Tuesday night for the second time in a single day. Security forces destroyed structures in the area at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday, and again after midnight on Tuesday night.
Young activists who were present during the late-night demolition accused police of using unnecessary force and beating nonviolent activists. One activist required medical care after being hit by officers, they said.
Prior to the destruction Tuesday, the family living in Mitzpe Avichai was given notice that their home would be demolished, and was granted two hours to appeal the decision to the Civilian Administration. According to the family, the administration rejected the appeal without explaining why.
One family currently lives in Mitzpe Avichai, as do several young men. A second family plans to join them in the near future.
After demolishing Mitzpe Avichai, police continued to the Federman family farm, where they removed a large tent that had been set up in the area.
The Federman farm was destroyed in November 2008. The Federman family has accused police of violence and property destruction in connection with the demolition.
