04:00Footage from the Sde Efraim and Evyatar outposts on Friday highlighted tensions in the West Bank, showing barriers and road closures impacting Palestinians. Interviews with settler leaders shed light on the controversial developments.
Malkiel Bar-Haim, Head of Security at the Evyatar settlement, emphasised the strategic importance of the settlement. "This legalisation is not the final act, but one of many started three years ago. The government acknowledged our right to demand a settlement here," he said. He also highlighted the security risks faced by Jews travelling through Arab villages.
Yehuda Shimon, leader of the Chavat Gilad settlement, shared his vision of growth, aiming to expand the settlement significantly.
"It is 100 families, it is not so big, you could see, how we live here and what is my dream about this place, about this city? [To build] a big city here in the Shamoon area," he said.
Evyatar and other Israeli outposts in the West Bank are deemed illegal under both international and Israeli law. Despite several demolitions, the Evyatar outpost was quickly rebuilt in 2021 and remains standing, though settlers are barred from returning.
The legalisation of Evyatar and four other outposts has sparked frequent Palestinian protests. Recently, Israeli authorities declared 66 dunams of land from nearby villages as 'state land,' seen as solidifying the Evyatar outpost.
In 2024, Israeli authorities declared a record 23,572 dunams of West Bank land as 'state land,' underscoring ongoing contentious issues surrounding settlements.
'This legalisation is not the final act' - Israeli outposts in West Bank face controversy amid legalisation efforts
Footage from the Sde Efraim and Evyatar outposts on Friday highlighted tensions in the West Bank, showing barriers and road closures impacting Palestinians. Interviews with settler leaders shed light on the controversial developments.
Malkiel Bar-Haim, Head of Security at the Evyatar settlement, emphasised the strategic importance of the settlement. "This legalisation is not the final act, but one of many started three years ago. The government acknowledged our right to demand a settlement here," he said. He also highlighted the security risks faced by Jews travelling through Arab villages.
Yehuda Shimon, leader of the Chavat Gilad settlement, shared his vision of growth, aiming to expand the settlement significantly.
"It is 100 families, it is not so big, you could see, how we live here and what is my dream about this place, about this city? [To build] a big city here in the Shamoon area," he said.
Evyatar and other Israeli outposts in the West Bank are deemed illegal under both international and Israeli law. Despite several demolitions, the Evyatar outpost was quickly rebuilt in 2021 and remains standing, though settlers are barred from returning.
The legalisation of Evyatar and four other outposts has sparked frequent Palestinian protests. Recently, Israeli authorities declared 66 dunams of land from nearby villages as 'state land,' seen as solidifying the Evyatar outpost.
In 2024, Israeli authorities declared a record 23,572 dunams of West Bank land as 'state land,' underscoring ongoing contentious issues surrounding settlements.
Footage from the Sde Efraim and Evyatar outposts on Friday highlighted tensions in the West Bank, showing barriers and road closures impacting Palestinians. Interviews with settler leaders shed light on the controversial developments.
Malkiel Bar-Haim, Head of Security at the Evyatar settlement, emphasised the strategic importance of the settlement. "This legalisation is not the final act, but one of many started three years ago. The government acknowledged our right to demand a settlement here," he said. He also highlighted the security risks faced by Jews travelling through Arab villages.
Yehuda Shimon, leader of the Chavat Gilad settlement, shared his vision of growth, aiming to expand the settlement significantly.
"It is 100 families, it is not so big, you could see, how we live here and what is my dream about this place, about this city? [To build] a big city here in the Shamoon area," he said.
Evyatar and other Israeli outposts in the West Bank are deemed illegal under both international and Israeli law. Despite several demolitions, the Evyatar outpost was quickly rebuilt in 2021 and remains standing, though settlers are barred from returning.
The legalisation of Evyatar and four other outposts has sparked frequent Palestinian protests. Recently, Israeli authorities declared 66 dunams of land from nearby villages as 'state land,' seen as solidifying the Evyatar outpost.
In 2024, Israeli authorities declared a record 23,572 dunams of West Bank land as 'state land,' underscoring ongoing contentious issues surrounding settlements.