Mofaz orders eviction of 15 settler families in Hebron

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has instructed the security forces to evict 15 families that have lived for the past few years in old buildings in Hebron's wholesale market. He has also instructed troops to destroy 12 permanent buildings at the Amona outpost near Ofra in the West Bank.

The Yesha settlers' council fears that the decision, which was taken in principle a long time ago but only now is being made operative, is the beginning of the implementation of the promise given by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to the U.S. administration that Israel will evacuate some of the outposts. Some of the settler leaders are demanding an all-out struggle against the decision.

Members of the Jewish settlers' committee in Hebron say that the buildings in the market used to belong to Jews. They say the land on which Amona was set up was bought by Jews.

In the past 24 hours, the Israel Defense Forces have evacuated five new outposts set up in the past two days by youth. The new sites were close to Elon Moreh, Kedumim, Efrat, Kiryat Arba and the "worshipers' route" in Hebron. The IDF and settlers yesterday exchanged mutual recriminations over the use of excessive force in these evacuations.

Some 150 youth from Elon Moreh and the surroundings set up the illegal outpost there, consisting of tents and tabernacles. When the soldiers came to evict them, the youths began cursing them and slashed 50 tires on the military vehicles. The youths also attacked soldiers and policemen and tore their uniforms. One senior officer was punched in the eye and required medical attention.

When some of the youths were arrested, they continued their rampage inside the van that was carrying them, destroying its interior and setting it alight. Eventually they began choking from the smoke and had to be rescued by soldiers. At that point, the youths ran away and were not caught. Some returned to the outpost and are still there.

IDF officers yesterday expressed deep anger. Chief of Staff Dan Halutz condemned the youths' behavior, while Mofaz said that "the behavior of these hoodlums will not go unpunished."

Settlers at the "worshipers' route" in Hebron also attacked Palestinians living in the area. One of them, Mubar Jabber, said his family was forced to leave their house when the youths stoned the building. Other Palestinians said the inhabitants of one house were beaten by Jewish youths but the security forces did not intervene. IDF sources said that when they saw attacks, they separated the sides.

Hundreds of youths also flocked to the outpost near Efrat. Four of them were arrested. Nadia Matar, head of Women in Green, was also arrested. The settlers say they plan to press charges against the policemen who, they say, were extremely violent.

At Kedumim, local council head Daniela Weiss was also arrested during the eviction, as were two minors.

The Hazon David synagogue near Kiryat Arba was once again destroyed during the eviction. The residents of the area said they plan to set it up anew.

The youths who participated in erecting the outposts belong to the groups that opposed the disengagement from the Gaza Strip.