Five illegally built homes in Khirbet Sussia, in the Southern Hebron Hills region, were scheduled for demolition on Tuesday morning, 6 Tammuz. Hundreds of security forces were scheduled to deploy to maintain order during demolition, and contractors were set to appear with the necessary heavy construction machines, but a last-minute order from the Prime Minister’s Office instructed officials to abandon the planned demolitions.

The timing Is no accident, but Israel’s response to mounting international pressure against the planned demolitions. Contractors were hired for the operation, however, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) intervened. Some opine the upcoming visit by Mideast Envoy Jason Greenblatt and special advisor, Jared Kushner, led to the decision not to raze the structures, which beside being illegal, are of significant important to the PA (Palestine Authority).

The Regavim Movement has been championing the battle to raze the illegal structures, build with financial assistance from the EU. The matter was adjudicated by the High Court of Justice, backing the demolition orders.

Following the prevention of the demolitions by the PMO’s, the structures financed by the EU remain, unlike the homes in the Netiv HaAvot neighborhood of Yishuv Elazar in Gush Etzion, which were torn down in compliance with a High Court order, despite widespread opposition and the fact that the land dispute is yet to be adjudicated.

“Netanyahu can’t just blame the High Court and the left-wing organizations, when he is essentially imposing strict enforcement against the settlements while demonstrating weakness and zero action against the Palestinian Authority’s intensive and illegal activity.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)