The IDF has dismantled many of its largest army bases in the Jordan Valley over the past months. As a result, neighboring Arab residents have begun to move in, use the land for farming and steal the equipment remaining at the sites.
Defense Minister Sha’ul Mofaz has called a special meeting to discuss the matter after receiving a request from Jewish residents of towns in the Jordan Valley to remedy the situation. The residents are concerned about the reduction in IDF presence in the region.
Arutz-7’s Haggai Huberman reports that the most serious dismantling took place in the southern Jordan Valley, near the Jewish communities of Yitav and Niran. It took place in recent weeks and had been one of the largest IDF bases in the region. Another large base was dismantled a number of months ago.
Following the evacuations, Arabs began to plant on the sites and surrounding training areas located around Wadi Oudja. The entire Oudja region, from Wadi Yitav until the border of PA-controlled Jericho, has now been transformed into a large Palestinian settlement, slowly filling with buildings, tin huts and tents.
IDF’s ‘Gadi’ base has already been dismantled, the last remaining structured destroyed this past month.
The Jordan Valley residents are very suspicious that the continued dismantling of IDF bases in the northern and central Jordan Valley as well, will lead to complete Arab authority over all of the vacant areas and training facilities.
The decision to remove the army bases was made during the Barak administration, but implemented by the IDF only recently. Only after the evacuations had begun were Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz notified. Mofaz has called a meeting to discuss the matter, scheduled to take place today (Thursday). Mofaz may also cancel the destruction of unauthorized outposts throughout Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza).
Defense Minister Sha’ul Mofaz has called a special meeting to discuss the matter after receiving a request from Jewish residents of towns in the Jordan Valley to remedy the situation. The residents are concerned about the reduction in IDF presence in the region.
Arutz-7’s Haggai Huberman reports that the most serious dismantling took place in the southern Jordan Valley, near the Jewish communities of Yitav and Niran. It took place in recent weeks and had been one of the largest IDF bases in the region. Another large base was dismantled a number of months ago.
Following the evacuations, Arabs began to plant on the sites and surrounding training areas located around Wadi Oudja. The entire Oudja region, from Wadi Yitav until the border of PA-controlled Jericho, has now been transformed into a large Palestinian settlement, slowly filling with buildings, tin huts and tents.
IDF’s ‘Gadi’ base has already been dismantled, the last remaining structured destroyed this past month.
The Jordan Valley residents are very suspicious that the continued dismantling of IDF bases in the northern and central Jordan Valley as well, will lead to complete Arab authority over all of the vacant areas and training facilities.
The decision to remove the army bases was made during the Barak administration, but implemented by the IDF only recently. Only after the evacuations had begun were Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz notified. Mofaz has called a meeting to discuss the matter, scheduled to take place today (Thursday). Mofaz may also cancel the destruction of unauthorized outposts throughout Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza).