Israel’s political echelon believes that allowing visits to the West Bank outpost of Evyatar will ‘relieve pressure’ from settler youth, lowering the number of violent altercations with Palestinians, sources said on Friday.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on the government to launch a large-scale military operation in the West Bank, saying security forces need to kill “thousands of terrorists,” during a press conference with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan and Nachala movement chair Daniella Weiss.
Ben-Gvir additionally called for the government to immediately approve the Evyatar outpost.
Other sources in the defense establishment criticized the government’s policy toward rioting settlers, claiming it is forcing law enforcement authorities to act in a manner that is against the rule of law in the West Bank.
“I give you my full and complete backing, but I want much more from the settlement here, there needs to be a full settlement here, not only here, but in all the hills around us,” Ben-Gvir said in an address to the settlers at the site.
“The Land of Israel must be settled and at the same time as the settlement of the Land a military operation must be launched. [We must] demolish buildings, eliminate terrorists, not one or two, but tens and hundreds, and if necessary even thousands, because at the end of the day, this is the only way we will hold on here, strengthen control and restore security to the residents, and above all we will fulfill our great mission. The Land of Israel is for the people of Israel, we are backing you, run to the hills, settle down. We love you.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at the Evyatar outpost with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan and Nachala movement chair Daniella Weiss. (credit: ROI HADI)Approval of Evyatar remains halted despite past agreements
Dagan also called for the approval of Evyatar and the launch of a military operation in the cities and villages under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
The settlers who established Evyatar originally evacuated the outpost in July 2021, as part of a compromise with the government under which then-prime minister Naftali Bennett agreed to advance the legalization of the outpost. Since then, there has not been much progress in that regard.
Under an agreement reached at the time, structures then in place remained at the site and an army base was set up. The Civil Administration conducted a survey of the land in the months after the deal was signed to establish which areas of land could be declared state lands on which Evyatar could be established. The survey found that about six hectares (15 acres) at the site could be declared as such, according to Ynet.
According to the arrangement, the settlers were meant to be allowed to establish a yeshiva at the site once the land was declared state land, and the government would move to legalize the outpost. Neither part of the deal came to fruition.
The legalization of the outpost was included in the coalition agreements signed by the Likud, Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionist parties.
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