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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 01:11 10/12/2007 Settlers march to build new outpost beneath Beitar flag By Yair Ettinger, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Beitar, settler, outposts  A large yellow and black flag of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer club waved Sunday over a circle of dancing right-wing activists in the E-1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim, where they want to establish an outpost called Mevaseret Adumim. The flag flew next to Israeli flags and orange ones symbolizing opposition to withdrawal from the territories, as the Beitar supporters joined hundreds of right-wing supporters who responded to a call by the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful organization to establish nine outposts throughout the West Bank. "What are we doing here?" one of the young soccer fans asked rhetorically before leaving for a soccer game at Bloomfield Stadium. "Establishing the outpost is the most Beitar there is." Advertisement While the youths called on the spirit of their team, the Land of Israel Faithful tied their protest in with the warriors whose victory is marked on Hanukkah, saying: "We will continue the spirit of faith and courage out of belief in God, in the way of the Hasmoneans!" The group's campaign included a symbolic establishment of outposts near Hebron (called Maalot Halhul), Elon Moreh (Harehivi), Kochav Hashahar (Maoz Esther) and Hashmonaim (Nofei Hashmonaim). The largest protest  including an appearance by MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union-National Religious Party) - was on a hilltop in the E-1 area, with only a few dozen demonstrators reaching the other symbolic outposts. Police declared all nine sites to be closed military zones, but by and large allowed marchers to go there, hold protests until the evening, and light Hanukkah candles there. Small groups of activists remained at some of the sites, preparing to spend the night. Establishing an outpost in the controversial E-1 area, a bone of contention between Israel and the United States, is 'a protest meant to balance the pressure on the Israeli government," said Eldad. "It can't be that only the left and the Arabs tell the government where Jews can settle. The message of not building here is a very bad message. They're just looking for excuses not to build, but this is where construction will take place. We will beat the evil and foolish government here." The protest, which took place hundreds of meters away from a large new building slated to become the headquarters of the West Bank police in early 2008, actually ended up attracting attention to the advanced construction that is already taking place in the disputed area. Several dozen Peace Now activists held their own demonstration nearby to protest the construction. "Our problem isn't the settlers," said Peace Now spokesman Yariv Oppenheimer. "We've come to protest the government's not fulfilling its obligations." Construction in the E-1 area began nearly two years ago, after the Sharon government decided to separate the construction of police headquarters from the overall building plan, which called for the construction of 3,500 housing units. Related articles: Outpost funding proposal would violate Israel's promises, report warns Police remove left-wing activists that build fake settlement outpost Bookmark to del.icio.us Bigotry prevails Haaretz.com TV: A new study shows a rise in racism against Israel's Arabs. High and dry Hamas seizes hundreds of pounds of marijuana in Gaza - and burns it in public.

Today Online Olmert: Israel will work to expose Iran's nuclear program Responses: 279 Civil rights group: Israel has reached new heights of racism Responses: 236 U.K. Jews fear Labour scandal bred 'Jewish conspiracy' theories Responses: 61 Gideon Levy: Bring Israeli war criminals to justice - even abroad Responses: 157 Rabbi Hartman: Israeli Arabs must not be expected to accept a Jewish state Responses: 95 Rosner's Domain Jervis & Cohen discuss the flaws of the Iran NIE Poll: Who's your Democratic favorite for 2008? December Factor: Giuliani, Clinton, Bloomberg, McCain In defense of Hanukkah (WTR) More Headlines 02:56 Sources: Russia working to get its emigrants back 04:34 U.S. army chief Mike Mullen: 'I understand Israel's concerns' 23:33 Absorption Ministry seeks to bring back Israelis living abroad 01:45 Stem cell discovery involving Israeli helps cure anemic mice 23:30 Religious party leader: Same-sex families undermine Judaism 22:03 PM: Israel will work to expose Iran nuclear program 03:12 Industrialists try to launch Israeli-Palestinian business forum 01:13 Analysis: Hanukkah outpost construction is an unsuccessful gimmick 23:43 PM meets with teachers' head for first time since beginning of strike Previous Editions Select Day 09 dec 07 dec 06 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec 30 nov 29 nov 28 nov 27 nov 26 nov

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