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Monday, June 14, 2021

Palestinians proud of setting fires outside Evyatar outpost, as new PM Bennett will have to decide what to do with it



Evyatar is a new outpost that some Israelis have set up recently with caravans, in response to the murder of Yehuda Guetta in early May. It was originally created in memory of Evyatar Borowski who was murdered at that location by Arab terrorists in 1982, but Israel has not allowed building there since it was first attempted to be built in 2013.

Israel has not legalized this settlement, and it has banned bringing building materials into the area, but there is pressure to allow it to be built.  Israel is studying whether the area of Evyatar should be considered state land which would be a first step on legalization. 

Palestinians are keenly watching what happens with Evyatar, which they call Jabal Sabih. There have been major riots over the outpost and one Palestinian teen was killed on Friday during one riot. 

On Sunday night, Ma'an reports that Palestinians set fires in areas near the outpost, burning tires and setting off fireworks, and in fact they have been doing this every night.


In an apparent move to force new Prime Minister Bennett into a difficult situation, Bibi Netanyahu instructed defense minister Benny Gantz not to demolish the outpost, which means if Bennett changes that order he will look like a "leftist." Gantz said that he will evacuate the outpost today, and only Bennett can stop that.  Yet his coalition will not want to legalize it.

Netanyahu, of course, had legalized very few new settlements during his time in office, and had slowed down new construction in existing, legal settlements. This is all politics.

Bibi did something similar with pushing the Jerusalem flag march to tomorrow, making it Bennett's headache as well. 

It is difficult enough being a prime minister in Israel without having landmines purposefully planted there. 

When politicians put their own interests and childish vendettas ahead of what is best for the country, everyone suffers.