Returning to the House of Peace: Defense Minister Bogy Ya'alon today (Sunday) approved the entry of three settler families into Beit Hashalom, located on the road connecting Kiryat Arba and Hebron.
About five years ago, the house was evacuated, and clashes were recorded around it between security forces and settlers. Today, as mentioned, the settlers received the long-awaited permits to return to the house, including approval from the Central Command Commander, Major General Yoav (Polly) Mordechai, along with the Central Command Commander, Major General Nitzan Alon.
The approvals were made possible after the Supreme Court ruling a few weeks ago, which determined that "the settlers purchased the building lawfully," while rejecting the Palestinians' claim that the sale was fraudulent. In exchange for transferring a sum of money to the Palestinians, the settlers were allowed to return to the house.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
""From the perspective of the parties, the dispute is not only a legal dispute but also a conflict of the West, ideology and emotions. Within this tangle, we sought to pave a path based on the rules of law as they stand. Everything else remains outside the court's purview," wrote Judge Dafna Barak Erez in the ruling.
Deputy Minister Ben Dahan congratulated the occupancy of Beit Hashalom in Hebron: "Blessed be God, after five years of legal struggle, justice has been served and the legal system has recognized the righteousness of the Jewish purchasers of the house. There is no more just and right time, on the eve of Independence Day, to approve the purchase and allow Jews to discover their freedom in the Land of Israel by purchasing land and plots of land.".
The left condemned the move.
MK Ilan Gilon of Meretz said that this is about strengthening the settlers' grip on Hebron. "The Minister of Defense, who refrains from publicly announcing the decision, but behind the scenes approves the occupancy of the house, precisely at such an explosive time, may be responsible for serious harm to public peace and bloodshed.".
