Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer's office says that the minister is determined to continue dismantling Jewish outposts in Yesha. He has so far taken down 17 of 24 outposts on his list, and is now reaching the "hard" ones: those with people living in them. The Assaf Junction outpost, which controls an important point on the Jerusalem-Ofrah highway, boasts several new families as of last night, including rabbis and public figures. Residents of Beit El and Ofrah are spearheading a campaign to prevent its dismantling, and several hundred people came last night to show their solidarity and determination not to allow its removal.
Similar efforts are being made at the Gilad Farm near Kedumim, which was established six months ago after the terrorist murder of local security officer Gilad Zar. Some 150 youths spent the Shabbat there, and many more are expected to come from as far away as Dimona and Kiryat Arba today and tomorrow. The outpost is located adjacent to 400 dunams (100 acres) of land owned by the Zar family. "We don't fool ourselves that the army won't be able to uproot us," said Esther of Kedumim. "Thank G-d, we have a strong army, and we certainly don't want to fight against it. But this could be a signal to the politicians, and hopefully our efforts will get them to reconsider."
Similar efforts are being made at the Gilad Farm near Kedumim, which was established six months ago after the terrorist murder of local security officer Gilad Zar. Some 150 youths spent the Shabbat there, and many more are expected to come from as far away as Dimona and Kiryat Arba today and tomorrow. The outpost is located adjacent to 400 dunams (100 acres) of land owned by the Zar family. "We don't fool ourselves that the army won't be able to uproot us," said Esther of Kedumim. "Thank G-d, we have a strong army, and we certainly don't want to fight against it. But this could be a signal to the politicians, and hopefully our efforts will get them to reconsider."