Free Republic

A large force of soldiers and police Sunday night moved dozens of Hevron Arabs out of a residential building next to the Jewish community and which they claimed they had bought, days after Jews presented a deed of purchase of an Arab home. The Arab squatters refused IDF and police orders to leave, and security officers ringed the building before forcing their way in and removing them. Four Arabs were arrested for violent resistance. The squatters were protesting last week’s purchase of an Arab home across from the Patriarchs’ Cave. The purchasers were careful to make sure that the sale...

Lawyers for the residents of Beit HaMachpelah in Hevron met Sunday with representatives of the IDF's Civil Administration and discussed the legality of the purchase of the home, which the residents moved into last Wednesday. The IDF representatives examined the purchase documents and confirmed that the purchase is legal. However, they said that they are awaiting the final approval of the political tier. The answer is in line with the assessment made Friday by Rabbi of Hevron and Kiryat Arba, Rav Dov Lior. "The question now is whether Defense Minister Ehud Barak will allow the residents to stay there, regardless...