8:03AM EST / 15:03 IL: (UPDATES & PHOTO LINK IN EXTENDED ARTICLE) IDF and border police forces a short time ago have begun the eviction of the residents of the Bet HaShalom in Chevron.
The army has sealed off the area, preventing any supporters from making their way to the building or Chevron. According to initial reports, at least 20 civilians and security forces have been injured.
Security forces are using teargas and other riot-control adjuncts to restore order.
UPDATE 8:12AM EST / 15:15 IL: At least one Chevron resident is reported in serious condition with a head injury. Most of the others appear to be in light condition.
The very large security force is operating and teargas is being used freely to evict Jews from the home. Only police seem to be actually removing Jews from Bet HaShalom, not soldiers.
MDA Emergency Medical Service officials report they have moved to a level 3 operating status in Yerushalayim, the organization’s highest, fearing widespread violence. At this time, the entrance to Jerusalem is being blocked at present by some 100 youths, who have entered the street, the entrance from the Jerusalem – Tel Aviv Highway.
A MDA chopper is heading to Chevron to evacuate the wounded. A number of ambulances are trying to enter the area, but are being stopped by security forces hurling gas and stun grenades.
At present according to Baruch Marzel, the injured are not being cared for. EMS officials are being prevented from entering the area. Marzel adds that gunfire can be heard and it appears the move by security troops has signaled the Arabs to renew their attacks against Jews as well.
Marzel states the situation is considerably worse than Amona, “ten times worse” decrying the indiscriminate use of force by security forces, adding that he personally saw innocent Jewish girls “mishandled” by security troops as well as “murderous blows” delivered to unarmed civilians.
UPDATE 8:18AM EST / 15:18 IL: Chevron Arabs are responding to the security forces who are evicting Jews by force and have begun bombarding everyone in the area with rocks, standing on rooftops and pelting civilians and security forces below with rocks indiscriminately.
UPDATE 8:20AM EST / 15:20 IL: Despite pleas from the parents of the Holtzberg Kedoshim, Defense Minister Ehud Barak has ordered the brutal eviction of the residents of Bet HaShalom during the shiva. The parents asked that he avoid additional mourning while the nation is united over the attack in Mumbai.
Two helicopters are now responding to Chevron. It appears there are a number of people with head and suspected spinal injuries, in moderate or more serious condition.
Many of the hundreds of residents and supporters of Bet HaShalom have already been removed from Bet HaShalom while the operation continues.
From the eyewitness accounts received by YWN, security forces are acting with unprecedented brutal force against civilians, with total disregard to human rights and dignity.
UPDATE 8:37AM EST / 15:37 IL: Bet HaShalom in Chevron has been emptied of its residents and supporters and it is now in control of Yassam and other forces. Encounters are still ongoing outside the building between security forces and civilians. All roadways heading to Chevron have been closed.
Shas leader Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai condemned the move, accusing Barak of acting today, during the Labor Party primaries, to advance his position among party voters.
Settlement Council leader Danny Dayan lamented the use of brutal force, emphasizing if Barak would have been willing to listen, the evacuation could have been accomplished without the use of force.
UPDATE 8:45AM EST / 15:45 IL: MDA EMS technicians, Hatzolah medics and IDF medical personnel are operating in Chevron to treat the wounded. At least some of the wounded are soldiers. At this stage, it appears most of the approximately 20 injured sustained light injuries only Baruch Hashem. It is not possible at this time to verify earlier reports that at least one person was seriously wounded.
In Jerusalem, the entrance to the city from Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway, is blocked as about 100 protestors are intentionally blocking the roadway in a spontaneous reaction to the Chevron eviction. Arrests are being made at this time. At least six people are in custody. Police report that protestors are throwing rocks in the area.
The Bet HaShalom is indeed under control of security forces. They received the order to move in at about 2:32pm local time, completing the eviction in under one hour. According to preliminary reports, there were no weapons found in the building, discounting the ominous reports spread by Barak and others. An estimated 300 people were evicted from the building by about 1,000 security forces.
Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) is reporting one of the injured, in his 50s, was transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, reported in light condition.
UPDATE 8:51AM EST / 15:51 IL: Kiryat Arba’s newly elected mayor, Malachi Levinger, a son of Chevron’s modern day founder Rav Moshe Levinger Shlita, expressed anger and frustration over the expulsion, explaining that just yesterday he was speaking with Defense Ministry officials in the hope of preventing a violent scene like the one taking place today. He vowed that the residents and supporters will return to the building.
An MDA official told YWN-ISRAEL that one of the injured is listed in moderate condition, transported to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. A second victim was transported in an IDF chopper. His condition is unclear but one may assume it is more serious, hence the decision to deploy a chopper. MDA officials are presently evaluating the situation.
UPDATE 8:56AM EST / 15:56 IL: It appears that one person, a soldier or policeman, is in moderate-to-serious condition. According to unconfirmed reports, some type of caustic substance was thrown in his face/eye.
A civilian is also reported in serious condition with a head injury according to Galei Tzahal (Army Radio).
MK Prof. Aryeh Eldad decried the action, explaining that Barak acted solely to advance his own political considerations, seeking to save his failed political career.
Eldad explained that near Kiryat Arba there is a shul, Chazon Dovid, which the government regards an “illegal outpost”. He explains security forces removed it 35 times and Chevron residents rebuilt it 36 times. “Unless Barak plans to leave a regiment in the building, the residents and supporters will only return. It was pointless and wicked, to personally advance his agenda.” Eldad stressed Barak knows that an agreement would have been reached through dialogue but today’s actions served his own interests, prompting him to order the eviction.
UPDATE 9:10AM EST / 16:10 IL: Black acrid smoke may be seen in the valley between Chevron and Kiryat Arba, the result of burning tires as security forces attempt to restore order. Despite reports to the contrary, it does not appear that a soldier was injured in his face with acid Baruch Hashem. We can only hope this is the case.
According to officials in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital’s emergency room, they are treating one person from Chevron who is listed in moderate condition.
UPDATE 9:15AM EST / 16:10 IL: A number of paramedics wearing kippot (yarmulkes) have been prohibited from entering the confrontation area. Security officials report they feared the paramedics were imposters seeking to get in to assist.
In the meantime, Jews have returned to Bet Shapira, which was the targeted of a government eviction months ago, as well as entering a number of stores in the marketplace in Chevron. They entered Bet Shapira on Wednesday as well, but were ousted by security forces a short time later.
IDF Central District Commander Major-General Gadi Shamni has declared all of Yehuda (Judea) a ‘closed military zone’ to prevent any and all non-residents from entering.
UPDATE (BRIEFS) 9:20AM EST / 16:20 IL: *10 protestors were arrested at the entrance to Jerusalem on Thursday afternoon. One policewoman lightly injured.
*Nadia Matar, the co-chairwoman of Women in Green, was lightly injured in the Bet HaShalom eviction and transported to a hospital.
*On his way to Chevron on Thursday afternoon, MK Uri Ariel tells he contacted DM Barak during the Bet HaShalom eviction and asked that he halt the violent action. He reports Barak refused. He told Barak that he will be personally responsible for the violence and injuries.
*Disturbances reported in Shomron at Maale Shomron, Karnei Shomron and Shilo Junction. Jews are reported to be blocking roads and throwing rocks at Arabs (Channel 10).
*Arabs in Shomron accuse Yishuv Yitzhar residents of attacking them following Bet HaShalom expulsion.
*A MDA ambulance was damaged in a rock-throwing attack by Arabs on its way to Chevron on Thursday afternoon.
*Chevron Police Commander Avshalom Peled stated the eviction was well thought out and planned out, boasting the building was evacuated in an expeditious fashion with only moderate force and six arrests. He states a total of seven people were injured, 5 settlers and 2 security personnel. He called the actions of occupants and supporters of the building during recent days “irresponsible and dangerous”.
*Arabs reporting a resident was seriously wounded by gunfire. No confirmation or additional details at this time.
*Daniela Weiss has been served with an administrative order barring her from entering Yehuda for one month’s time.
UPDATE 10:05AM EST / 17:05 IL: Police/IDF Bracing for Unrests Throughout Yehuda & Shomron
*Hadassah Hospital (Ein Kerem) – six injured included a border policeman who appears to have been hit in the face with flour, not a caustic substance. He is listed in light-to-moderate condition.
*Shaare Zedek Hospital: Nadia Matar and another person are being treated, both in light condition.
*Chevron has a large Arab population which is very pro-Hamas. Channel 10 news reports some community activists say “we are not afraid of the Jews any longer.
*An Arab home in Chevron was set ablaze. Two Arabs reported wounded by “settler gunfire” (unconfirmed).
*Police are concerned regarding possible widespread Islamic violence following Friday religious services in mosques, especially in Chevron.
*Despite a hospital report that the police officer was injured with flour and not a caustic substance,the mainstream media continues to report the brutal attack by settlers against security forces.
UPDATE 10:40AM EST / 17:40 IL: While reports are yet unconfirmed, security authorities are reporting approximately 10 Arabs homes are ablaze in Chevron and the immediate area.
In addition, there are reports of Arab gunfire against Jews in Chevron. There are no immediate reports of injuries.
In the Benjamin Regional Council area, near N’vei Tzuf, protestors opposing the expulsion have closed down an area road.
Security forces weld shut the doors to Bet HaShalom……
There are now reports of three injured people being treated in Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim with one listed in light-to-moderate condition. The others are in light condition.
Security forces are taking up position in the greater Chevron area in the hope of preventing a flare-up of attacks.
UPDATE 10:42 EST / 17:42 IL: Arabs fired at border police guarding Bet HaShalom. No injuries being reported.
UPDATE 10:52AM EST / 17:52 IL: Eretz Yisrael Faithful are blocking traffic at Shilat Jct. on Hwy 443 in the Modi’in area as protests to Bet Shalom eviction continue.
UPDATE 11:00AM EST / 18:00 IL: Soldiers use live gunfire above the head of Jews blocking the road near Kedumim in Shomron.
UPDATE 11:03AM EST / 18:03 IL: A border policeman and IDF soldier were lightly injured by rocks thrown by Jews at Chawarah Junction in Shomron.
UPDATE 11:05AM EST / 18:05: PA: Father and son seriously wounded by gunfire in Chevron. No IDF confirmation at this time.
PHOTO LINK: (Click HERE for photos taken at the eviction & click HERE for photos taken at the “Peace House” yesterday by Refael Ovadia / Boltshauser Images)
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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36 Responses
It seems that the powers that be in Israel believe that cracking down on Jews in Hevron is a politically popular thing to do. If they are right, Ms. Livni will be Prime Minister in about 10 weeks.
In Mumbai the anti semites attacked Beit Chabad and in Hevron the anti semites are attacking Beit Hashalom. Is it any wonder thinking Yidden disavow apparatus of the anti Jewish “State of Israel”
From the eyewitness accounts received by YWN, security forces are acting with unprecedented brutal force against civilians, with total disregard to human rights and dignity.
Great, this is the secular zionist State of Israel in reality.
Despite pleas from the parents of the Holtzberg Kedoshim, Defense Minister Ehud Barak has ordered the brutal eviction of the residents of Bet HaShalom during the shiva.
That is because the secular government of Olmert has no Jewish soul. The statements made by the secular leaders of the State of Israel over the Mumbai Kedoshim and their presence at the Holtzberg levoyas were nothing more than a callous use of the kedoshim to advance the agenda of Olmert and his secular cohorts. They were empty words and empty gestures.
Perhaps we should call Barak for a Din Torah? Get a Heter to go to secular courts and litigate against him in US court? And yes it can be done in Circuit Court.
Israel has nothing better to do?
what happened to backgammon?
I don’t understand why this is happening. Why can’t Jews live in Israel in peace and get rid of people who can’t behave morally? It’s an upside down world!
this is sad, in the week when we read in the Parsha how G-d told us to spread out throughout the Land, our tinok sh’nishba Medina has removed yidden from their soil.
I have been talking to my husband about seriously moving to Israel. I don’t trust the American government anymore under Barack Obama with all of his Israel bashers and Arab appeasers coming in. Now, he was listening to Kol Ha’Olam and heard a commentary from Aaron Klein how Kurtzer, the new Middle East Envoy, is the worst person to come. He is the biggest Arab appeaser on the face of the earth.
When I read about this horrible tragedy here in Israel, I am reminded of that commentary. Only our Merciful Father in heaven can save us from our enemies.
Just don’t forget to fly your Israeli flag on Yom Ha’atzmaut.
while arabs in gaza attack with mortor and bombs the israelis are concerened with jews in Chevron?
and in the shul of keynote aguda speakers they pray for midinat yisroel. something doesnt make sense?
time for us to wake up and relly start thinking about Hshem not just paying lip service
After reading the last two articles on this site, I can’t help wondering how come the bloggers on YWN are always defending the Medinah? I’ve posted many negative comments against them and always there was someone to attack me and defend them. Maybe now you will realize what I’ve known for a long time- that the tolerance towards arab behavior is a lot greater than towards the frum.
There is a tremendous double standard -the arabs can do no wrong (eg. Gaza rockets) and the frum can do no right (eg. living in Chevron)!
So, now we have our own Mumbai terrorists–The Israeli leftist Government!
Hashem yimkam damin, Although I despise the Neturei Karta I could see now where they are coming from
Under American law, even the non-violent refusal to obey a court order is “contempt of court” and leads to you be thrown in jail. Using force against whomever is enforcing the court’s order is usually a felony (in some other countries it is considered treason).
If one believes in zionism and accepts the legitimacy of the zionist enterprise, one must accept its rules. It’s their ball, and they make the rules. The religious zionists made many compromises so they could be part of the zionist enterprise, and this is their reward. Perhaps they will now realize that being a Jew is not about land or political structure, but about Torah and Mitzvos.
Of course, if you don’t accept the zionists and want to be part of their (largely secular) society, one must consider seeking peace with the Muslims (who in the past have not objected to Jews living in Eretz Yisrael, but will always object to Jews lording over them and bossing them around).
Where is the world’s outrage? Why are CNN and AP silent? Persecuting Jews anywhere in the world but in the State of Israel is off limits. Why isn’t anti-Semitism decried when it is committed by Jews? There is no reason to fear for the future of Medinat Yisroel. It is more sacrosanct, even, than Barack Obama.
I’ve always wondered what it’s like to experience the beginning of a civil war. I guess this is the closest I’ve ever come it. Let’s see how this develops.
I just don’t understand how such a leader for the yiddishe people, Barak, can be sooooooo blind and totally denying Hashem’s power. If he would just know AND believe what is so clearly described in today’s trying to reach peace with the Arabs: he would change this crazy and unbelievable agenda right away. Like what someone wrote a while ago: Rabin decided to give guns and weapons to the Arabs; he was killed by a gun. Sharon decided to give them land, Gush Katif; he became like a plant himself. Oy vey, oy vey, how can this government be so blind, don’t they have any little amount of yiras shomayim left? How can they sit with dry eyes and like a statute at the levaya of the Holtzbergs. NOTHING helps to open their hearts????????? Hashem yerachem aleinu….
To # 2 and # 13 – As much as the actions of these reshoim is despicable, it is wrong to associate them with the Mumbai terrorists yimach shmam v’zichram.
This is a great quandary. We despise the actions of this rishus’dig medina, yet we have to be mispallel for their welfare. Even the heilig Satmar Rav ob”m, who minced no words at exposing the evil of this traif medina, was known that the great love he exhibited toward every single Jew did not waver when it came to the heads of the Israeli state whom he so bitterly decried. He was always mispallel for their welfare.
why arent they arresting all the arabs who are causing trouble they are only interested in locking up Yiddin. How sad
DTW
Our love of Yidden is DESPITE them being terrorist. Satmar Rov hated the ideology and actions of many, He still loved yidden. Lubavicher Rebbe fought long and hard that kicking out yidden from anywhere, is self inflicting and terrorizes yiddens safety. He still loved Yidden.
We despise their terroristic actions. We love them and will do everything to give them some better meaning to live for.
To # 21: Correction appreciated.
My understanding is that Bet HaShalom was purchased legally from its former Arab owner. Numerous court hearings confirmed both parties agreement to the sale. Yet, for reasons which I and many others do not comprehrend the Israeli government is evicting its owners.
I ask as a goy that Jews do more Talmud Torah, more davvening and more deeds of kindness. Then HaShem may well intervene and correct this egregious unfair and unjust act of the Israeli government.
Gerry Mullen
The gemara clearly states “Gadol Sinas am h’artz l’talmud chachom m’sinas esuv l’Yakov’
loosly translated an am haretz hates a talmud chachom more then esuv hates us.
a Gadol in Yerushaliem explaind that this works in levels, a relitive am haretz hates a relitive talmud chochom. barak and shomrei torah.
Rav Elchonon Zt’l spoke about who amelik is. the achdus mantra is important but cannot encompass the soney yisroel regardless of thier leiniage.
I really dont get it.
Israel is a democracy with a system of rules.
If the government decides that you have leave…you get the heck out of there…
The same applies to jews..to Palestinians..and the same applies to Imminent Domain..for whatever reason.
If you fight it legally and lose..and decide to stay..you will get hurt..
Why all this sympathy??
#19 & #21 Misanecha Hashem esneh – tachlis sinah soneisim.
Dovid HaMelech’s words, not mine.
only one answer- MOSHIACH NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get them out of there we still are in galus.
Everyone needs to take a deep breath of air and calm down. The evacuation was not nearly as violent as first reported. There were not many injuries, b’h, and only one moderate injury in the entire clash.
#28
What about the hundreds of thousands of jews who went to their deaths at the hands of the nazi’s thanks to the inaction of ben-gurion & his cronies, simply because they didn’t want too many frum people “invading” their “fraya” “jewish” state.
Read the book Perfidy & then fly your flag.
Read R’ Elchanan’s ma’amar on amalek (as a previous poster pointed out) & then fly your flag.
“Tachlis sinah soniesim”.
#23 the Israeli government maintains the sale wasn’t valid since: 1) the Arab in question didn’t know to whom he was selling; 2) under Israeli law, Israelis can only purchase territory in the West Bank with approval of the Military Government, which did not approve the sale. The case was fully litigated in the Israeli courts (whose legitimacy is unquestions by secular Israelis), and the court ordered them evicted, and order the government to evict them.
#30 not sure where your info is from, many children and infants injured from gas inhalation, ambulances on the site and full….
Barak will do anything to add another MK to the Labor losers.
notpashut, as you know most events in life are not pashut. You are speaking the truth except with a myopic worldview….
“What about the hundreds of thousands of jews who went to their deaths at the hands of the nazi’s thanks to the inaction of ben-gurion & his cronies, simply because they didn’t want too many frum people “invading their “fraya” “jewish” state.I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BRITISH BLOCKADE WHICH STOPPED MOST OF THE IMMIGRANTS FROM LANDING IN ISRAEL.
Read the book Perfidy THIS IS A MUST TO READ AND TRUTH FROM FRONT TO BACK
fly your flag. THERE ARE MANY REASON TO FLY A FLAG, and it is not for love of the israeli government.
In addition to reading Rav Elchonon, try some of Rav Dessler and the Tzitz Eliezer about Eretz Yisroel, or if you want a full fledged adventure try the sefarim of Rav Kook.
The Hovos HeLevavos says that when a person places his trust in a force other than Hashem, Hashem will deliver the person into the hands of whatever force he trusted. The settlers knew that in order to survive surrounded by hostile belligerent Arabs they would have to rely on the Zionist security apparatus, and now Hashem has delivered them into the hands of that very apparatus. I obviously disagree with them but at the same time feel compassion for them. I, and the rest of us I suspect, have to do a cheshbon ha-nefesh as to what forces we trust other than Hashem, and work on putting our whole trust in Hashem.
What do you expect from these reshoim? Some people say that these zionists are part of the eirav rav,from moshe rabbeinus time. Who knows? I for one wouldnt be surprised. Neither would I be surprised if the govt had any connections to the slaying of rabbi kahane or his son binyomin H’yd. They made too much noise the govt couldnd afford to having them around. The frei zionists will do anything. i am not surprised at all these occurances happening. These people are out and out reshoim.
pay attention….
he’s getting closer..
and closer…..by the day
let’s ready ourselves…..
the current government of israel will likely fall very soon. we will hear of mashiach in the north. the nations will gather to try to kill him. a lot of scary things are predicted by the nevi’im. it’s up to us to bring it forth with rachamim or chas ve’shalom as scary it’s written in the nevi’im. let’s do our work so it can be peaceful….let’s all do one extra mitzva of each kind– 1 to our fellow jew (this includes your spouse and children) and 1 to Hashem. Let’s especially be careful with Shabbos too..
May we all merit to see the coming of Mashiach quickly with Rachamim!!!!!