Two illegal buildings in the West Bank settlement of Beit El were demolished amid violent protests, as the Israeli government authorized new housing for the same community.
The buildings were razed July 29 after Israel’s Supreme Court upheld earlier rulings to demolish them.
Protesters for a second consecutive day gathered at the site, throwing rocks and setting tires on fire. Police dispersed the protesters using water cannons and other methods.
The buildings were found to be built on Palestinian land seized by the Israeli military in the 1970s.
Following the court’s decision and pressure from parties in his government coalition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced approval for the construction of 200 housing units in Beit El. He also approved the planning of 500 new housing units in Jewish neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem.
Jewish Home head Naftali Bennett, whose party threatened to leave the coalition over the incident, commended Netanyahu for the approval, saying in a tweet: “I praise the prime minister for his quick, correct and Zionist decision.”
On July 28, about 200 protesters were removed from the buildings; 50 were arrested. Clashes between protesters and police continued throughout the day.
Also on July 29, some 200 people remained for a second day on the site of the former Sa-Nur village in the northern West Bank despite warnings that they would be evacuated by force. Many of them were evacuated from their homes 10 years ago during the Gaza disengagement, which included four settlements in the northern West Bank. The protesters have said they intend to remain. — jta