The word spreading throughout areas of Yehuda and Shomron point to additional expulsions of Jews from their homes. The vibe is these expulsions will occur before Shabbos Bechukosai. There are fears a violent confrontation between residents and police will occur in Givat Assaf, Ramat Gilad and Maale Rechavam.

Such a move would represent one of the largest expulsions since Gush Katif & northern Shomron in 2005 but the expulsions were ordered by the Supreme Court a half year ago.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon is one of the state officials meeting with settlement leaders in the hope of reaching agreement for the voluntary evacuation of the communities mentioned. The court ruled the communities were founded on private Arab-owned land and therefore they have to be removed. The deadline for the court-ordered evacuation is Sunday, Lag B’Omer 5774. Since such an operation is not likely to take place on erev Shabbos or Shabbos, the rumor has begun spreading that it will occur prior to erev Shabbos.

The real fear surrounds possible violence, perhaps on the level seen at Amona. Video footage of that horrific scene serves as testimony to the fact it was B’chasdei Hashem that operation did not result in the loss of life. Security agencies are pressing settlement leaders to compel residents to leave on their own while in the communities mentioned, residents are calling for reinforcements, trying to get supporters into the area before security forces close them down and prevent others from arriving.

In Maale Rechavam in the eastern Gush Etzion preparations to resist began on Wednesday morning 14 Iyar. Eight buildings are to be evacuated as a result of the High Court ruling. This community was established in 2001 and named in memory of slain cabinet minister Rechavam Ze’evi HY”D. Many believe the forces removal of residents will begin in the coming hours, in broad daylight.

Givat Assaf is located at “T” Junction on Route 60, also established in 2001. It was named after terror victim Assaf Hershkowitz HY”D, who was murdered as he traveled to work from his home community of Ofra, not far from the new community.

Ramat Gilad was established in memory of slain Shomron security officer Gilad Zar HY”D, on land belonging to Moshe Zar. This was approved by the government in 2011. A number of structures in that community must be razed in line with the court’s ruling.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)