Deeply Concerned by Israeli Bill That Legalizes West Bank Outposts

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on Monday sent a stern warning to legislators seeking to circumvent a High Court ruling to evacuate the contested West Bank outpost of Amona, saying “We can not accept legislation that hinders decisions of the High Court of Justice”.

Netanyahu had feared the bill could jeopardise the government’s case. The two leaders have been at loggerheads in the past over plans for a two-state solution which would see the creation of a Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Ali Abunimah argued Tuesday at Electronic Intifada that while “President-elect Trump’s personal positions on the Palestinian-Israeli issue have been contradictory, the Republican Party machine that is about to take the commanding heights of the government is unambiguously aligned with the most extreme factions in Israel”. But some coalition lawmakers, in an effort to prevent the evacuation, have been advancing a bill that would recognize certain illegal building in the West Bank.

He said the PA would turn to the United Nations Security Council and “all worldwide organizations” to prevent the measures.

Israel’s high court ruled in 2014 that Amona, northeast of Ramallah in the central West Bank, must be evacuated.

While most of Israel’s settlements in occupied east Jerusalem and the West Bank – all of which are illegal under global law – are constructed under the auspices of the Israeli government, outposts are built without authorisation and technically illegal under Israeli law.

“The Palestinian leadership will turn to the U.N. Security Council and all other global organizations to stop those Israeli measures”.

The United States and human rights groups have consistently condemned Jewish settlements on land Palestinians want as part of a future state. Following authorization of the private members’ bill in the committee, it now heads to parliament on Wednesday where it will be debated but has still some distance to cover to becoming a law.

A senior Israeli Cabinet minister on Monday said the election of Donald Trump has helped create an opportunity for Israel to abandon its stated commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state. PA spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina announced the PA will turn to the UN Security Council and all other global forums against the bill.

They also sharply criticised a separate bill that would limit the volume of calls to prayers at mosques in Israel and Jerusalem, a measure government watchdogs have called a threat to freedom of religion and an unnecessary provocation.

Domestic and worldwide critics of the Israeli policy have said efforts to preserve the hilltop outposts is a sign that the right-wing government seeks to expand the footprint of occupied West Bank settlements to block the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman released a statement on Tuesday urging the residents not to resist the demolitions for the sake of avoiding dragging the Israeli army into “a political event”, according to The Times of Israel, as Israeli politicians fear the government evacuation could erupt into clashes with government forces and settlers.