The heads of local government authorities in Judea and Samaria will launch a sit-down strike Tuesday in a tent opposite the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, to protest against the continued enforcement of the decree freezing construction by Jews in their jurisdictions.
A series of protests and information-dissemination activities against the freeze will take place at the tent in the coming days. They will include protest vigils and rallies, meetings and public reception of citizens, for conversations about the damage of the freeze. There will be an information stand for passersby, and visits by Knesset Members and elected officials from all over Israel.
Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich met the heads of the Yesha Council, the council of local governments in Judea and Samaria, Monday morning. The Yesha leadership asked Aharonovich to restrain the activities of the police throughout Judea and Samaria in view of recent events.
411 Inspections So Far
Aharonovich showed his guests statistics regarding the freeze order's enforcement to date. Inspectors have paid 411 visits to communities and handed out 174 stop-work orders in places where they found non-compliance with the government decree. Twenty-two heavy vehicles were impounded. About 100 orders are being reconsidered, with the option of pardons or cancellation of the orders a possibility.
Most of the events went by quietly, Aharonovich said, but in 31 cases there was “friction.” Five law enforcement officers were hurt. Six Civil Administration inspectors, a police prosecutor and a police investigator were threatened.
The Yesha leaders put forth their complaints regarding the decisions by the nation's political leadership and their implementation on the ground. The minister, for his part, told them that the freeze order is a legal government decision and that the situation is not an easy one for anyone involved. Regarding the enforcement of law in Judea and Samaria, the minister said he would not allow anyone to take the law into his own hands. Law enforcement authorities have his full backing, he added.
Aharonovich said that the criticism and protest should be brought before the political leadership in legitimate ways and not through violence against the enforcement arm of the state. He said that the IDF is sovereign in the territory and any enforcement activity there is carried out under its responsibility and command.