Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett has been under attack since it became apparent to all that Amona will fall for a second time as per the High Court of Justice ruling to remove the community of 40 families. The attack against Bennett follows his agreement to remove the controversial paragraph 7 of the Regulation Bill that address Amona. Backers of the bill hoped the bill would retroactively legalize Amona but it has become evident this would not be the case, as explained by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.

Struck explained that even when miracles occur, they are not recognized, explaining it was clear to her that the Regulation Bill was never going to pass. She explains the Regulation Bill, even without paragraph 7, removes the threat of removal of thousands of homes throughout Yehuda and Shomron and this threat was removed because of Bennett and his efforts. She explains that while the bill will not apply retroactively, it will prevent future evictions of homes as would have been likely without the bill.

She adds the bill recognizes the residents of Yehuda and Shomron as “regional residents” and this marks the first time that the residents of yishuvim are recognized as “essential to the public”.

“Residents are not criminals but residents and the state must grant them a legal status” she adds. She adds this was not possible without the residents of Amona, who have been the shluchim towards achieving this historic achievement.

She concludes that despite the pain that will surround the expulsion of Amona, “We must not let this prevent us from seeing the historic achievement that has been achieved”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)