Clashes broke out between security forces and “Hilltop Youth” on Monday during the evacuation and demolition of an illegal settlement outpost at Tzur Misgavi in the Gush Etzion region of Judea.
Six rioters were detained during the demolition, the Israel Police reported.
Several Border Police officers were hurt by stones and other objects that were thrown at them, the police said.
Two months ago, Gush Etzion Regional Council head Yaron Rosenthal complained about unauthorized construction.
“It is impossible to develop Gush Etzion when a handful of people seize hundreds of acres and build makeshift structures on land designated for the establishment of thousands of housing units for the next generation,” Rosenthal told The Jerusalem Post.
About 25 families live in the outpost. It is an extension of Metzad, which did not receive legal status prior to its establishment.
The evacuation came following an order signed by the commander of Central Command after various incidents of criminal activity and violence occurred in the area, the IDF said.
“The settlement is flourishing because we work in coordination and planning,” Rosenthal said. “This is a difficult day, but if we do not stop the illegal construction today, we will pay a heavy price for the future of the settlement tomorrow.”
Nachala Movement calls on Israelis to block demolition
The Nachala Israel Movement, a settler group that promotes new Jewish outposts in Judea and Samaria and the resettlement of Gaza, said in a statement: “The Nachala Movement views with great seriousness the intention of Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and the authorities to carry out an unprecedented demolition of dozens of homes that were built with dedication and pioneering spirit on the Metzad Hills.”
“At a time when our enemies are trying to undermine our hold on the land, it is the government that is directing tools and efforts against the pioneers of settlement,” it said. “This is an unacceptable, anti-Zionist, and dangerous move that harms the very heart of the Jewish presence in the Land of Israel.”
Nachala Movement chairwoman Daniella Weiss urged citizens to arrive at the outpost “to prevent the destruction of dozens of homes that were built with great effort on the hills near Metzad.”
Gush Etzion requested assistance with demolition in September
In a letter sent in September and seen by the Post, the Gush Etzion Regional Council asked for Smotrich’s assistance in dealing with the “anarchy” developing in the area.
“Alongside our settlements’ achievements, there is a blatantly growing anarchy in several areas... we warned our residents to avoid building in these areas without coordination, but we are asking you to restore the previous situation,” the letter said.
The illegal extension of settlements has harmed the legitimate residents of these communities, and while it may be difficult to destroy the homes of Jews, “If you do not act, the consequences for the settlement enterprise will be severe,” it said. “We will never be able to bring a million Jews to Judea and Samaria if the available land we have is utilized in such a wasteful manner, with individuals taking over several dunams for each housing unit.”
In response to the incident on Monday, Smotrich wrote on X/Twitter that illegal expansion “thwarts the development of thousands of housing units.”
Regarding the Nachala Movement’s accusation that the demolition was “anti-Zionist,” he said the Gush Etzion Regional Council does not “need to be taught either how to do Zionism, nor how to do settlement.”
TPS contributed to this report.