The High Court of Justice on Wednesday, Taanis Esther, agreed to delay the planned destruction of the homes in the Elazar neighborhood of N’vei HaAvot, in Gush Etzion.

The decision states, among other things, that “in the case before us, even though the judgment gave considerable time (one and a half years) to prepare for the implementation of the demolition orders, the respondents were unable to complete the alternative to the residents of the buildings on time, and we agree to extend the date for execution of judgments.

However, it said that “in the present case, there are reasons that justify giving a short period of time to carry out the judgment, even if only ex gratia” and that “the requested extension is also relatively short – three months and several days.” The decision emphasized that “this is a final extension, and at the end of which the respondents will have to carry out the judgment in its letter and in its language.”

Gush Etzion Regional Council Head Shlomo Neeman welcomed the High Court of Justice ruling and said: “We welcome the court’s decision, which placed logic before the law and considered families and children. The decision allows the residents to move from their door to the door of their temporary residence and enable human conditions in the inhuman reality of the demolition of their home. We turned to the future – for growth, construction and settlement development.

“The Israeli government’s decision to develop the area together with the High Court of Justice ruling on the rejection of the ruling instills in us a cautious optimism for justice that will be seen and done in our region. We will all reach the Gush Etzion bloc, and for the time being we are all mobilized for the task of developing settlement and strengthening our wonderful community.”

The Netiv HaAvot representatives add “the High Court did what was requested of it by complying with the state’s request to postpone the destruction at least until the humanitarian solution is reached. However, the struggle of the residents of Netiv HaAvot did not end until they returned to the permanent homes in the neighborhood. ”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)