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Israeli Settlers Defy Demolition, Blame Obama

Israel bulldozes illegal outpost after Netanyahyu's DC visit

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 22, 2009 8:32 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Jewish settlers whose tiny outpost in the West Bank was demolished by the Israeli army—just days after Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington—returned hours later and started rebuilding, reports the Times of London. Netanyahu reportedly agreed to Barack Obama's demands to dismantle illegal outposts in the Palestinian territories, but settlers, encouraged by a rightwing lawmaker, were defiant. "It says in the Bible that this land is ours," said one. "God is stronger than Obama."

This is the second time that security forces have bulldozed the tiny settlement of Maoz Esther, which at its largest had only six makeshift homes. But nationalist politicians have seized on the destruction, which they describe as an American incursion or a political ploy. One settler, a woman wearing a headscarf, was declared: "Building settlements is the most important commandment in the Torah."

Israeli border police walk next to Jewish settlers after they demolished seven structures in the West Bank outpost of Maoz Esther, a hilltop site northeast of Ramallah, Thursday, May 21, 2009.
Israeli border police walk next to Jewish settlers after they demolished seven structures in the West Bank outpost of Maoz Esther, a hilltop site northeast of Ramallah, Thursday, May 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Israeli Jewish settlers salvage material from destroyed structures that were demolished Thursday by Israeli troops, in the West Bank outpost of Maoz Esther, a hilltop site northeast of Ramallah, Friday, May 22, 2009.
Israeli Jewish settlers salvage material from destroyed structures that were demolished Thursday by Israeli troops, in the West Bank outpost of Maoz Esther, a hilltop site northeast of Ramallah, Friday,...   (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
Israeli Jewish settlers try to rebuild a structure demolished earlier by Israeli troops in the West Bank outpost of Maoz Esther, a hilltop site northeast of Ramallah, Thursday, May 21, 2009.
Israeli Jewish settlers try to rebuild a structure demolished earlier by Israeli troops in the West Bank outpost of Maoz Esther, a hilltop site northeast of Ramallah, Thursday, May 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Israeli security forces demolished a minor Jewish outpost in the West Bank on Thursday, three days after President Barack Obama told Benjamin Netanyahu that he must halt settlement activity.
Israeli security forces demolished a minor Jewish outpost in the West Bank on Thursday, three days after President Barack Obama told Benjamin Netanyahu that he must halt settlement activity.   (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Israeli Jewish settlers try to rebuild a structure demolished earlier by Israeli troops in the West Bank outpost of Maoz Esther, a hilltop site northeast of Ramallah, Thursday, May 21, 2009.
Israeli Jewish settlers try to rebuild a structure demolished earlier by Israeli troops in the West Bank outpost of Maoz Esther, a hilltop site northeast of Ramallah, Thursday, May 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Shannonals
May 24, 2009 9:24 AM CDT
How did an article on Jewish settlers erbuilding turn into a debate about religion?
Robert_Dada
May 23, 2009 1:05 AM CDT
Your religion is vile and disgusting just like all the others.
Fondue
May 22, 2009 4:23 AM CDT
Amen to that.

Ehud Barak unapologetic about 'illegal' outpost
Haaretz (Israel)

Photos of the destruction of Maoz Esther
Arutz Sheva

 
Barack Obama • Israel • Benjamin Netanyahu • West Bank • settlers • Israelis • Jewish settlers

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