Spoetnik
25-03-07, 15:06
IDF, police say may not be able to block return to settlement
In recent days, security forces have been preparing for a predicted attempt on the part of settlers to reestablish the settlement of Homesh in the northern West Bank, which was evacuated as part of the Disengagement in August 2005.
IDF sources have stated that the army and the police will do everything possible to prevent the founding of an outpost on the ruins of Homesh, but have expressed doubt if it will possible to do so, as the ruins of Homesh are not fenced-off or closed.
The army on Saturday warned settlers intending to return to the Homesh area to abandon their plans to try to rebuild the settlement saying that the punishment under law for anyone who enters territories evacuated under the Gaza Disengagement and attempts to resettle the area is two years imprisonment.
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"In view of media reports that Israeli citizens intend to enter the area of the evacuated settlement Homesh during the Pesach holiday in order to reestablish the community," the warning said, "the IDF and the Israel Police wish to emphasize that the law enabling the disengagement bans Israeli citizens from entering and staying in the area without permission."
The army warned that "all means necessary to preserve law and order in the area" would be employed and that anyone violating the law is subject to consequences.
The Police have also released a warning to organizers of the Homesh event saying that in addition to criminal charges, event organizers and participators could be subject to paying punitive damages to the state for costs accrued by security services as a result of the event.
Organizers of the event are hoping that thousands will participate in the campaign to reestablish Homesh, and have plastered flyers announcing the event in synagogues throughout the West Bank. The announcements detail staging areas where participants will gather and organize for the trip to Homesh, and instruct participants to bring supplies for a long stay.
"This event will require the presence of security forces who are busy implementing the lessons of the Second Lebanon War, and also places further burden on the security forces who are engaged in protecting the citizenry during the upcoming holidays," a police statement read.
In response, leaders of the Return to Homesh campaign announced they were not surprised by the threats.
"We have grown accustomed to the fact that the authorities in Israel are concerned with laws of expulsion and withdrawal. In all other matters of law there is anarchy, neglect and apathy. The big surprise today is the threat to sue us in civil court for the expenses that the state will incur for suppressing the return to Homesh," they said.
The fact that we could be made to pay security costs brings to mind a similar situation in Saddam Hussein's Iraq, where families had to pay for the ammunition used to kill their loved ones." Event leaders said they would be happy to pay the fines, as soon as all other citizens who are causing the police to spend a great deal of money, and used as examples Israel Islamic Movement head Raed Saalah, former Justice Minister Haim Ramon, President Moshe Katzav, and the Parinan brothers.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/841465.html
In recent days, security forces have been preparing for a predicted attempt on the part of settlers to reestablish the settlement of Homesh in the northern West Bank, which was evacuated as part of the Disengagement in August 2005.
IDF sources have stated that the army and the police will do everything possible to prevent the founding of an outpost on the ruins of Homesh, but have expressed doubt if it will possible to do so, as the ruins of Homesh are not fenced-off or closed.
The army on Saturday warned settlers intending to return to the Homesh area to abandon their plans to try to rebuild the settlement saying that the punishment under law for anyone who enters territories evacuated under the Gaza Disengagement and attempts to resettle the area is two years imprisonment.
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"In view of media reports that Israeli citizens intend to enter the area of the evacuated settlement Homesh during the Pesach holiday in order to reestablish the community," the warning said, "the IDF and the Israel Police wish to emphasize that the law enabling the disengagement bans Israeli citizens from entering and staying in the area without permission."
The army warned that "all means necessary to preserve law and order in the area" would be employed and that anyone violating the law is subject to consequences.
The Police have also released a warning to organizers of the Homesh event saying that in addition to criminal charges, event organizers and participators could be subject to paying punitive damages to the state for costs accrued by security services as a result of the event.
Organizers of the event are hoping that thousands will participate in the campaign to reestablish Homesh, and have plastered flyers announcing the event in synagogues throughout the West Bank. The announcements detail staging areas where participants will gather and organize for the trip to Homesh, and instruct participants to bring supplies for a long stay.
"This event will require the presence of security forces who are busy implementing the lessons of the Second Lebanon War, and also places further burden on the security forces who are engaged in protecting the citizenry during the upcoming holidays," a police statement read.
In response, leaders of the Return to Homesh campaign announced they were not surprised by the threats.
"We have grown accustomed to the fact that the authorities in Israel are concerned with laws of expulsion and withdrawal. In all other matters of law there is anarchy, neglect and apathy. The big surprise today is the threat to sue us in civil court for the expenses that the state will incur for suppressing the return to Homesh," they said.
The fact that we could be made to pay security costs brings to mind a similar situation in Saddam Hussein's Iraq, where families had to pay for the ammunition used to kill their loved ones." Event leaders said they would be happy to pay the fines, as soon as all other citizens who are causing the police to spend a great deal of money, and used as examples Israel Islamic Movement head Raed Saalah, former Justice Minister Haim Ramon, President Moshe Katzav, and the Parinan brothers.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/841465.html