West Bank · updated 54m ago · 2 min read
Netanyahu Orders Evacuation And Demolition Of Illegal West Bank Settler Outposts After US Pressure
Netanyahu ordered evacuation of some West Bank outposts deemed illegal. Move followed pressure from the United States to address settler violence.
18 outlets, one story, no spin found.
7 of 11 outlets skipped it: evacuation directives targeted especially Area B outposts.
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Evacuation Order in West Bank
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the evacuation and demolition of some illegal outposts in the occupied West Bank, according to a report cited by Haberler that said the instruction came after US pressure for Israel to act against Israeli settlers' attacks on Palestinians.
“Netanyahu has ordered the evacuation and demolition of some illegal outposts”
Haberler reported that the instruction covers outposts established by illegal settlers without official authorization from the Tel Aviv administration, often consisting of prefabricated structures and housing a small number of settlers.
Ahram Online reported that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, "To my knowledge, Netanyahu has given the instruction to evacuate" certain settlements, adding that he did not approve of the measure.
Ahram Online also said the outposts were built without official Israeli government authorization, often consisting of a few prefabricated homes, and that the evacuation involved outposts built in areas under the control of the Palestinian Authority and without official authorization.
Huckabee, Smotrich, and Media
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the West Bank and described Israeli settlers involved in violent incidents as "terrorists," urging the Israeli administration to take action against settlers' "crimes and acts of terror," according to Haberler.
Haberler said Huckabee argued it would be in the country's own interest for the Israeli administration to take action against the settlers' "crimes and acts of terror," while Ahram Online quoted Huckabee saying, "Our clear message is that crime is crime, terror is terror," without naming Israel or its settlers.
Smotrich told AFP that he did not approve of the measure, and Ahram Online reported that Netanyahu's office did not respond when AFP contacted it about the reports.
While Haberler framed the move as an evacuation and demolition order tied to US pressure, UA.NEWS said it was "stated by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich" that Netanyahu ordered the evacuation of some settlement outposts and that it was not yet clear when the operation may begin.
Scale, Areas, and Next Steps
Peace Now data cited by Haberler put the number of outposts under occupation in the West Bank at approximately 340, while Haberler also said the Israeli government officially recognizes 146 settlement units in the region.
“there are approximately 340 outposts under occupation in the West Bank”
Haberler reported that UN agencies and many countries consider Israel's settlements in the West Bank contrary to international law, viewing the region as occupied territory under Israeli military control, while Ahram Online said Israel's government views the West Bank as disputed rather than occupied.
Haberler said Israeli settlers besieged several homes belonging to Palestinians in the village of Kusra near the city of Nablus in the West Bank last month, and that the Israeli army intervened to remove the settlers but villagers said they were subjected to harassment and threats afterward.
DailyBeirut reported that the evacuation directive focused on unauthorized outposts in Area B and said Yedioth Ahronoth reported around 100 unauthorized outposts currently exist in the West Bank, including 15 to 20 in Areas A and B, while also saying the military plans to reinforce its presence with at least two additional battalions.