Amona
AmonaFlash 90

The State asked the High Court Sunday to give it a three-month extension before it evicts the residents of Amona, in the Binyamin region.

The State noted that a new government has only recently been sworn in and that the matter needs to be discussed by the new political echelon.

The State also noted that the residents of Amona have purchased some of the land from Arab owners.

The High Court ordered the State to tear down the community by the end of 2012. In November, however, the State requested a six-month extension, and was given until April 30 to carry out the demolition and eviction. The State now requests more time, until June 22.

Amona was established in 1995 near Ofra and radical leftist groups claimed it was mostly built on private Arab land. In 2006, the State tore down nine homes at the site, following a High Court motion filed by Peace Now. Hundreds were injured in clashes with police.

In 2008, Arabs who claim they own the land filed a motion with a leftist group called Yesh Din, demanding that Amona be torn down. The court approved this motion.