MK (Bayit Yehudi) Moti Yogev and members of the Regavim organization have documented ongoing illegal PA (Palestinian Authority) construction in the area south of Hebron. According to Regavim official Oved Arad, in his report to the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Subcommittee on Yehuda & Shomron Affairs, an actual illegal city is under construction.

The area in question is referred to by the IDF as “live fire zone 917”. Regavim reports the IDF Civil Administration has received orders to act to stop the illegal construction but to date, nothing has been done. The construction includes homes, schools, mosques and medical facilities.

Yogev points a finger at the European Union, which has been documented to be funding illegal PA construction to undermine Israeli policy. The Civil Administration reports the area of this construction was planned in the 1980s for Bedouins and over the years the Bedouins violated the agreements and necessary demolition was carried out. No one seems to be explaining why the current construction is permitted to continue without Israeli intervention.

Ynet reports that the IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Major-General Yoav Mordechai denies the accuracy of the Regavim report. He states the IDF enforcement policy against illegal construction is stricter in the PA than against Israelis. He added there have been no new permits for construction given to the PA in that area, but he neglects to address Regavim’s claim that illegal construction is ongoing.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)