State looking to authorize illegal settler buildings

Decision comes in response to High Court petitions regarding illegal construction in W. Bank, Defense Ministry’s settlement advisor says.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Israeli flag flutters over settlement of Ofra 311 R (photo credit: Laszlo Balogh / Reuters)
Israeli flag flutters over settlement of Ofra 311 R
(photo credit: Laszlo Balogh / Reuters)
The state is expected to tell the High Court of Justice today that it is looking to authorize illegal Jewish construction in certain areas of the West Bank on state land – including in the Givat HaYovel outpost near the Eli settlement.
It is submitting a response to a number of High Court petitions regarding illegal construction, both in West Bank settlements and outposts, Defense Ministry’s settlement advisor, Eitan Broshi, said.
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According to the Broshi the state is weighing authorization of homes on State land in certain instances.
The process of authorization could take up to two years, he said. During that time work must stop on illegal homes on State land that are under construction, and no one can live in those homes during that time, he added.
Additionally, he said, the State plans to evacuate – either by force or by agreement – certain outpost homes on private Palestinian land.
Broshi spoke in general terms of the state response to the High Court of Justice, but did not provide exact details.
For over a year the State has provided responses to the court regarding illegal construction that fall along the lines of the basic principles that Broshi outlined.