While it is true the air force is not involved, and there is no call-up of reserve duty soldiers and officers, but the implementation of the 10-month construction freeze throughout Yehuda and Shomron is being treated like a major military operation by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, nothing less. The minister has enlisted additional inspectors into the IDF’s Civil Administration, and the armored jeep convoys escorted by members of the press and left-wing photographers can be seen making their way to the various communities, 26 in total, being served with the latest government decree to halt any and all building.

Speaking at the Calcalist Forum on Tuesday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stressed the status of yishuvim would be determined in ‘final status’ talks with the PA (Palestinian Authority), not a day before. Ironically, his words were intended to console, but in essence, they send a painfully clear message, that even the champion of the right-wing is indeed planning “concessions’ regarding additional Jewish homes and communities.

The prime minister stated that the building freeze came after the authorization to complete construction of 3,000 housing units, vowing these projects would be permitted to continue. He added the building freeze is a “one time” event. In actuality however, some of these projects have also received orders to halt construction, as per the prime minister’s overzealous left-wing defense minister, Ehud Barak, who appears to be using an unparalleled tenacity to execute the implementation of the government decree.

“The residents of Yehuda and Shomron are an integral part of the nation. They contribute, they serve and they volunteer. They are our brothers and sisters” he proudly told his audience.

According to Civil Administration officials, 14 stop-construction orders have already been issued on site, but on Tuesday, the situation did not mimic Monday’s scene, with residents of the communities meeting inspectors, blocking their paths, and in some cases, preventing them from officially serving the orders. Inspectors met opposition in Har Gilo, Kiryat Arba and in areas in Shomron.

Barak, eager to halt the “settlement construction”, visited the IDF Yehuda & Shomron Division Command to obtain a firsthand look at the progress. “A government decision must be implemented, and it is that simple” he told members of the press. “The leaders of the communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron are responsible, patriotic, and have endured many a test. I believe and hope that they will withstand this test too as we implement the government’s decision” he added.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)