Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., November 28, 2008 Kislev 1, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:41 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

U.S. buyer of controversial Hebron house moves in ahead of eviction threat By Nadav Shragai and Amos Harel The Jewish-American man who says he purchased the House of Contention in Hebron moved in to live there yesterday, joining the 16 Jewish families already residing in the building and hundreds of rightist activists who have come to prevent security forces from evicting the tenants. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief-of-Staff Gabi Ashkenazi also visited the West Bank city yesterday to approve the Israel Defense Forces plan for the eviction. The tour was preceded by several attempts by the defense establishment to negotiate with the settlers and persuade them to leave of their own volition. Advertisement A High Court of Justice ruling last week gave the settlers three days to evacuate, but a loophole was found allowing them to remain for a full 30 days before any force could be taken. Morris Abraham claims he legally purchased the property from a Palestinian, but the alleged seller says he changed his mind and that the deal was never finalized. Abraham, of New York, received a royal welcome at the house, where children waved flags to greet him. Musician Ariel Zilber sounded a trumpet to announce Abraham's arrival. Abraham is a descendant of Jews who were banished from Hebron following the 1929 massacre. He gave up his retirement fund to buy the building in Hebron, which links Kiryat Arba with the Tomb of the Patriarchs. He presented documents which he says prove he purchased the house, and complained about the High Court's refusal to look into the ownership issue at any depth. The building also received a delegation from the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem. The visitors, who all belong to one of the religious seminary's classes, began studying at the house. During his visit to Hebron, Barak said the state would use force to evict settlers if they do not vacate the premises voluntarily, as stipulated by the High Court decision. Barak said the police would attempt the first round of evacuations, and the IDF would be called in if reinforcement was needed. During the visit, Barak and Ashkenazi were also briefed on the efforts of the Palestinian Authority in combating terrorism in the West Bank. Citing recent progress, senior IDF officers said the army was considering transferring Bethlehem to Palestinian security forces ahead of Christmas. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Signs of al-Qaida Is the global terror network behind the deadly attacks in Mumbai? Denying Nazi links 104-year-old entertainer files lawsuit: It's not my fault Hitler was my fan.

Read & React Conflicting reports emerge on release of Mumbai Chabad center hostages Responses: 105 Mazuz: Olmert indictment possible in Rishon Tours scandal Responses: 45 Ari Shavit: While the Palestinian track fails, let's focus on Syria Responses: 36 Israel Harel: Defense establishment gives enemy hope that Israel's end is near Responses: 39 More Headlines 00:22 Reports differ over release of Mumbai Chabad center captives 00:33 Yossi Melman / Is al-Qaida behind the Mumbai terror attacks? 01:09 IN PICTURES / Mumbai ravaged by deadly terror attacks 22:35 European powers: Iran showing 'utter disrespect' for UN nuclear watchdog 20:58 104-year-old entertainer files lawsuit: It's not my fault Hitler was my fan 23:31 Body of one-day-old baby found in Be'er Sheva dumpster 17:14 Pope to make rare visit to Israel in May, following months of Jewish-Catholic tension 00:16 Belgian public broadcaster cancels ad that featured Hitler as a stripper 00:32 'I just grabbed the baby and ran,' says Mumbai Chabad employee 01:14 Norwegian ex-premier counters anti-Semitism accusations, slams Israel 15:24 Iran missile launch into space was 'publicity stunt,' Israeli experts say 22:52 Ministers and policymakers approve plan to combat economic crisis 16:03 Ultra-Orthodox MK Ravitz announces retirement from Knesset 04:25 IDF rejects claims it killed Palestinians in defiance of court 07:08 ANALYSIS / What it means: the path to indicting Olmert 10:01 Court ruling sees IDF targeted assassinations as last resort Previous Editions Select Day 27 nov 26 nov 25 nov 24 nov 23 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov

Special Offers Advertisement Inbal Thanksgiving Sale Save up to 30% off reservations at the Finest Hotel in Jerusalem Living in Israel Studying in English Click & Meet our students from all around the world Living in Israel Studying in English Click & Meet our students from all around the world Dan Boutique Jerusalem New Dan Hotel in Jerusalem Young, Fun & Distinctively Dan Book Now Online! Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Car rental in Israel Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates. Dial 013 for your long-distance calls and get all your money back US CITIZENS Vote for real change. Request your ballot today! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved