A settlement activist group is planning to set up at least 28 new outposts in Judea and Samaria, three of which it plans to erect days after US President Joe Biden's visit to region this week, Israel Hayom has learned.
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The Nachala movement is currently coordinating hundreds of volunteers and the purchase of building equipment for three new settlement outposts, the locations of which it is keeping under wraps to avoid running afoul of the IDF Civil Administration, which permits and oversees construction in Area C.
Nachala has been preparing to establish new outposts, with a target date of July 20, for some time. The group has already set up dozens of groups of new settlers and held hundreds of meetings in an attempt to enlist support. The group claims that over 1,000 activists from all over Israel have joined the initiative.
As part of its preparations to take to additional hilltops, Nachala has distributed some 3,000 kits to future settlers that will equip them to stay in the field for as long as possible. The kits include materials for crude tents, large jerry cans for water, a portable charger, a cell phone charger, and even waterless portable toilets and portable fans.
Ahead of the new outpost launch, the group carried out visits to various strategic points in Judea and Samaria and put together logistics teams and a special situation room that will be staffed around the clock.
The settlement activists also worked to shed light on the extent of illegal Palestinian construction in Area C.
Nachala chairwoman Daniella Weiss told Israel Hayom that "Now, when reports are saying that the government intends to approve Arab construction in Area C, is the time to say clearly – the Land of Israel in its entirety belongs to the Jewish people. Israel is an independent state. The entire Land of Israel is our, and we will continue to found settlements and towns throughout Judea and Samaria."
According to Weiss, "The Jewish people are a healthy people. Since we started this move some weeks ago, we've encountered warmth from the public like we've never seen before. The public understands the importance of new settlements, and how much the pioneering, Zionist progress will lift the people's spirits as we continue the Zionist path up the mountain. With God's help, and with a lot of work, we're poised to break a years-long freeze, and see settlement flourish throughout Judea and Samaria."
With US President Joe Biden slated to arrive this week for a visit to the region, Israel Hayom reported recently that the Israeli right is concerned that the issue of illegal Palestinian construction might be glossed over. MKs Orit Strock and Yoav Kisch, who head the Knesset Land of Israel lobby, issued a letter warning that the tolerance of illegal Palestinian construction went against coalition agreements.
Meanwhile, left-wing groups are opposing Nachala's plan to kick off a new round of settlements and claim that the IDF is supporting the move.
"Although the establishment of settlements is considered a war crime under international law, the Israeli military will secure the establishment of the settlements and allow them to expand and connect to water, electricity, and other services, thus helping the settlers apply pressure to surround Palestinian communities through methodic violence, so Palestinian families will leave and allow the settlers to take over their lands and property," a number of leftist groups wrote in an open letter.
The groups' letter urged the Biden administration and the US Congress to "listen to the calls of Palestinian, Israeli, and American activists to condition continued US aid on stopping the involvement of Israel and its armed forces in human rights violations. The aid should be stopped as long as Israel refuses to change its behavior," the activists argued.
General Director of the Betsalmo advocacy group Shay Glick said in response, "It's infuriating that the New Israel Fund supports organizations that are calling on the US president not to provide Israel with weapons, which will just put the lives of [civilians] and IDF soldiers at risk. This crosses a red line, calls for a military boycott of Israel is equivalent to calling to shut down the country.
"It's time for Israel to fight the groups that are working to have in boycotted … and not give them any more legitimacy. We will continue to fight these groups, which are putting the lives of Israeli citizens in danger," Glick said.
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