The Tazpit news agency reports that ten families – including about twenty children and babies – are inhabiting a house that has been recently acquired for Jewish dwelling in Hebron. The house is located near the Cave of Machpelah, by the pharmacy large parking area.

The house is surrounded by IDF and police forces who are barring more people from entering. The crowd of Arabs that had been mulling outside the house in the morning has since dispersed.

Shlomo Levinger, one of the new residents of the house, told the Jewish Press that there is no indication of an impending eviction, but recognized that this could change quickly: “We are here legally, we adhered to the required procedures and paperwork, and our purchase is kosher…any eviction order will be politically-motivated, and not legally based.”

A Jewish resident of Hebron told Tazpit: “Outside right now, people are trying to settle down and try to sleep and get used to the idea that it’s a new Jewish home, with God’s help. This settlement has been in the planning for a long time, and there were many procedures to go through before it was finally resolved that it belongs to us. Neighboring Arabs have been planning to rush in and take over the place, which is why we he had to move in quickly and in secret.”

The new Hebron settlers issued this message:

A great day for the people of Israel!

Thank God, we are able to continue the work of our forefather Abraham, who purchased the Cave of Machpelah some 4000 years ago. Today, we, his children, continue on his path and have purchased a home in the same location, expanding the hold of the children over the city of our forefathers.

We urge the Israeli government to encourage and expand the settlement of Kiryat Arba – Hebron, city of the Patriarchs, by redeeming additional homes and land.

“Peace Now” called on Police to immediately evacuate the settlers who entered Wednesday night into a building in Hebron.

“Security forces must immediately evacuate the settlers from the building and not wait for the arrival of dozens of right-wing activists at the site,” said Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer.

“Only the Minister of Defense may authorize entry into buildings in the Hebron area and any invasion made without his approval is illegal and must be evacuated immediately,” Oppenheimer added. (© 2012 JewishPress. 03/29/12)