IDF destroys illegally built home in West Bank settlement of Eli

High Court of Justice ruled that the structure and a portion of another must be removed because they were on private Palestinian property.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Updated: AUGUST 5, 2015 01:48
IDF demolishing a home in the West Bank settlement of Eli (photo credit: COURTESY FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF ELI‏)
IDF demolishing a home in the West Bank settlement of Eli
(photo credit: COURTESY FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF ELI‏)
Just past midnight on Monday the IDF demolished one home and part of another in the Yovel outpost of the West Bank settlement of Eli.
It did so in response to a High Court of Justice demolition order because they were built on private Palestinian property.
The state is in the process of retroactively authorizing the Yovel outpost, a move which would make it part of the Eli settlement.
IDF destroys illegally built home in West Bank settlement of Eli
Binyamin Regional Council spokeswoman Tamar Asraf said that it was painful to see the demolition and that had the High Court of Justice shown some flexibility, the event could have been avoided.
“No one benefits from the razing of the structure,” said Asraf. “The Yovel neighborhood will continue to strengthen and grow.”
Although Peace Now filed the High Court petition against the structures, Asraf thanked the NGO for doing so, which she said paved the way for the eventual legalization of the neighborhood.
She added that she expects the final authorization to be issued soon.