JERUSALEM – The Israeli Supreme Court has reacted coolly to a
government request to delay the demolition of an illegal West Bank
settler outpost.
The state agreed to raze the five buildings by May 1 after it
acknowledged they were built on private Palestinian land. But it put
off the deadline by asking the court to reopen the case.
The government is under pressure from settlers who insist the
construction was legal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu´s governing
coalition is sympathetic to the settlers.
Justices sounded impatient with the government at Sunday´s one-day
court hearing. Justice Uzi Fogelman said, "When the state makes a
commitment, we do not even contemplate that the commitment will not
be honored."
The court did not say when it would rule on the request.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further
information. AP´s earlier story is below.
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli Supreme Court has reacted coolly to a
government request to delay the demolition of an illegal West Bank
settler outpost.
The state agreed to raze the five buildings by May 1 after the court
determined they were built on private Palestinian land. But it put
off the deadline by asking the court to reopen the case.
The government is under pressure from settlers who insist the
construction was legal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu´s governing
coalition is sympathetic to the settlers.
Justices sounded impatient with the government at Sunday´s one-day
court hearing. Justice Uzi Fogelman said, "When the state makes a
commitment, we do not even contemplate that the commitment will not
be honored."
