MK Eli Yishai
MK Eli YishaiIsrael news photo: Flash 90

MK Eli Yishai (Shas) expressed outrage Sunday after hearing that Border Police had raided an outpost and arrested activists shortly before the beginning of the Yom Kippur holiday, the holiest day of the Jewish year.

Seven outpost residents were forced to spend the first hours of the high holiday in a police station. They say they were released at 11 p.m. after being required to give their fingerprints – an act that is forbidden on the Sabbath or Jewish festivals.

“I’m horrified at the eviction that took place on the eve of Yom Kippur. This must be looked into,” Yishai said.

“Security personnel must take action against those who do not abide by the law,” he continued. “However, this law enforcement should, on rare yet obvious occasions, show sensitivity – such as when it comes to the need to avoid evicting outposts on the eve of Yom Kippur.”

“It’s troubling that we have reached a point where there is a need to create procedures for how to handle evictions on Yom Kippur,” he added. “It is even more troubling that, in the absence of clear guidelines, raiding an outpost on Yom Kippur is seen as legitimate.”

Yishai called on police commanders to look into the incident and create clear guidelines that will prevent similar incidents in the future.