Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz's plans to uproot the populated outpost of Mitzpeh Yitzhar suffered a setback in the Supreme Court last night. The Court issued a restraining order preventing the destruction of a house in Mitzpeh Yitzhar, after the Haifa-based Land of Israel Task Force filed an appeal against the intentions to do so. Mitzpeh Yitzhar is located in central Shomron, south of the PA-controlled city of Shechem.
The petitioners, led by Yitzchak Sandroi of Mitzpeh Yitzhar and Aviad Visuly of Haifa, claimed that "all security echelons" have termed the area one of "security importance." They further said that though a hearing was offered them, they had only two days' advance warning. They also maintained that Mofaz has "hostile personal interests" against Mitzpeh Yitzhar because of an investigation against him regarding the past demolition of a structure there without the required permits.
The reference is to an incident this past June in which, in the midst of legal proceedings regarding the demolition of four Mitzpeh Yitzhar structures, the army destroyed three other buildings for which no demolition orders were ever produced. The army later allowed the residents to rebuild two structures.
The Court's ruling last night ordered the State to respond within five days.
Minister Mofaz met with Yesha Council leaders this week and informed them of his plans to uproot several outposts, including the 42-family community of Migron north of Jerusalem. Another site on the list is Ginot Aryeh, a neighborhood of Ofrah with 15 families. Yesha leaders and residents have promised to fight against the evacuation of any populated site.
The petitioners, led by Yitzchak Sandroi of Mitzpeh Yitzhar and Aviad Visuly of Haifa, claimed that "all security echelons" have termed the area one of "security importance." They further said that though a hearing was offered them, they had only two days' advance warning. They also maintained that Mofaz has "hostile personal interests" against Mitzpeh Yitzhar because of an investigation against him regarding the past demolition of a structure there without the required permits.
The reference is to an incident this past June in which, in the midst of legal proceedings regarding the demolition of four Mitzpeh Yitzhar structures, the army destroyed three other buildings for which no demolition orders were ever produced. The army later allowed the residents to rebuild two structures.
The Court's ruling last night ordered the State to respond within five days.
Minister Mofaz met with Yesha Council leaders this week and informed them of his plans to uproot several outposts, including the 42-family community of Migron north of Jerusalem. Another site on the list is Ginot Aryeh, a neighborhood of Ofrah with 15 families. Yesha leaders and residents have promised to fight against the evacuation of any populated site.