The Shai (Samaria and Judea) Police District spokesman said that the action was taken in accordance with a directive by the IDF Central Commander, ordering the closing of all Hebrew Battalion offices and organs.
The forces confiscated six dogs used for or being trained for security, as well as the contents of the dining room and Torah study program - Yeshivat HaG'dud HaTorani (Torah Battalion Yeshiva). The police also informed the Hebrew Battalion personnel that they are no longer permitted to use the dining room and study hall.
The raid was not accompanied by violence.
Jewish Legion head Yekutiel Ben-Yaakov told Arutz-7 with a measure of cynicism that the latest move by the State of Israel would not deter him:
"The truth is that I had been getting a bit worried. We have been operating for four years already, and we are the best form of Zionism and patriotism and Jewish spirit since the original Jewish Legion was formed in 1917, and I was wondering how the same government that gives land and guns to the worst of our terrorist enemies also allow this enterprise to thrive at the same time? But now that they have taken action against us, I feel that we have received our 'kosher certification,' if you will. There cannot be coexistence in the same entity between those who support Jewish murderers and those who defend Jews."
Ben-Yaakov explained that his group's kennel has raised and trained over 100 sentry guard dogs, patrol dogs and home protection dogs in the past four years:
"We offer free courses for the security chiefs and emergency team leaders in the various communities, such as in Emanuel and North Emanuel, and we have given dogs to help security in various communities, such as Eli, Rechelim, and others - and even to the Israel Police and Border Guard themselves."
Asked if he could provide the names of some of the people who had received dogs, Ben-Yaakov said, "Well, all our files were confiscated today, so I can't help you right now, but we hope to recover the information soon."
The kennel of the Jewish Legion - literally, Hebrew Battalion - has been praised by Brig.-Gen. Har'el Knafu, the Shomron Regional I.D.F. Commander, who said, "Good things must be said of a project that helps secure the Tapuach area."
"Look," Ben-Yaakov said, "we know the situation. We're prepared for sacrifice to maintain Jewish life here in Yesha [Judea and Samaria]. It's unfortunate that the government is working against us, but that's nothing new. There were several hundred policemen here, and I told them that it was too bad that instead of fighting terrorism, they were doing the opposite - that they would be responsible for whoever might be hurt in the future because we couldn't help them with dogs or with training."
Ben-Yaakov said,
"I told one of the chief officers that their actions today certainly wouldn't stop us from studying Torah, or from protecting ourselves. I said that instead of calling ourselves the Jewish Legion, we’ll just call ourselves -- 'Jews;' would they outlaw a movement called 'Jews?' ...
"We continue with the same spirit and pioneering fortitude that the original Jewish Legion had [when it was established to protect the original Land of Israel settlements from Arabs], and we are buttressed by our Torah faith. The government is basically frightened because we represent everything that the Americans are telling them to close down here. But their actions won't deter us; we're confident that we can overcome, and this will only help us."
The forces confiscated six dogs used for or being trained for security, as well as the contents of the dining room and Torah study program - Yeshivat HaG'dud HaTorani (Torah Battalion Yeshiva). The police also informed the Hebrew Battalion personnel that they are no longer permitted to use the dining room and study hall.
The raid was not accompanied by violence.
Jewish Legion head Yekutiel Ben-Yaakov told Arutz-7 with a measure of cynicism that the latest move by the State of Israel would not deter him:
"The truth is that I had been getting a bit worried. We have been operating for four years already, and we are the best form of Zionism and patriotism and Jewish spirit since the original Jewish Legion was formed in 1917, and I was wondering how the same government that gives land and guns to the worst of our terrorist enemies also allow this enterprise to thrive at the same time? But now that they have taken action against us, I feel that we have received our 'kosher certification,' if you will. There cannot be coexistence in the same entity between those who support Jewish murderers and those who defend Jews."
Ben-Yaakov explained that his group's kennel has raised and trained over 100 sentry guard dogs, patrol dogs and home protection dogs in the past four years:
"We offer free courses for the security chiefs and emergency team leaders in the various communities, such as in Emanuel and North Emanuel, and we have given dogs to help security in various communities, such as Eli, Rechelim, and others - and even to the Israel Police and Border Guard themselves."
Asked if he could provide the names of some of the people who had received dogs, Ben-Yaakov said, "Well, all our files were confiscated today, so I can't help you right now, but we hope to recover the information soon."
The kennel of the Jewish Legion - literally, Hebrew Battalion - has been praised by Brig.-Gen. Har'el Knafu, the Shomron Regional I.D.F. Commander, who said, "Good things must be said of a project that helps secure the Tapuach area."
"Look," Ben-Yaakov said, "we know the situation. We're prepared for sacrifice to maintain Jewish life here in Yesha [Judea and Samaria]. It's unfortunate that the government is working against us, but that's nothing new. There were several hundred policemen here, and I told them that it was too bad that instead of fighting terrorism, they were doing the opposite - that they would be responsible for whoever might be hurt in the future because we couldn't help them with dogs or with training."
Ben-Yaakov said,
"I told one of the chief officers that their actions today certainly wouldn't stop us from studying Torah, or from protecting ourselves. I said that instead of calling ourselves the Jewish Legion, we’ll just call ourselves -- 'Jews;' would they outlaw a movement called 'Jews?' ...
"We continue with the same spirit and pioneering fortitude that the original Jewish Legion had [when it was established to protect the original Land of Israel settlements from Arabs], and we are buttressed by our Torah faith. The government is basically frightened because we represent everything that the Americans are telling them to close down here. But their actions won't deter us; we're confident that we can overcome, and this will only help us."