The High Court of Justice is to hear the state´s request today to reconsider the demolition of illegally-built structures in the Ulpana neighborhood, which is part of the West Bank settlement of Beit El.

The state asked the court last Friday to reconsider its ruling to evacuate and tear down five structures in Ulpana, which had been built on private Palestinian land. The state cited the difficult ramifications the move is likely to have for Beit El residents.

Supreme Court President Asher Grunis and justices Edna Arbel and Yoram Danziger will rule, after the hearing, whether to allow the state to reverse its previous position, although the court had already ruled on the matter.

The state had previously pledged in court to implement the demolition orders for the neighborhood buildings.

At the end of last month, the state asked for 90 days to reevaluate its policy on enforcing demolition orders for illegal buildings in the West Bank, as it combines strategic, public and operative considerations.

The state´s request was backed by Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein and senior officials from the State Prosecutors´ Office.

However, senior jurists slammed Weinstein´s support of the move, which opposes the demolition of houses built on private Palestinian land.

The jurists said Weinstein was supposed to protect the law enforcement system, but instead lent a hand to reopening the case after the court had already given its verdict.

Attorney Michael Sfard, who submitted the petition for the Palestinian landowners with the human rights group Yesh Din, said on Thursday that the state´s request was tantamount to contempt of court.

Sfard said in his response to the state´s request that there is no way to reopen the hearing on a petition the court has already ruled on. (© Copyright 2012 Ha´aretz 05/06/12)