Israel’s High Court of Justice is expected to decide the future of an Arab vacation village, which is being built illegally on the outskirts of the village of A-Sawiya between the city of Ariel and the community of Eli in Samaria. The resort complex, which stands out as quite peculiar in the local landscape, includes five guest rooms and two swimming pools.
The petition requests the High Court issue an interim injunction against the head of the village council of A-Sawiya, ‘Abd al-Rahim Suleiman, ordering him to cease and desist construction work in the area and to refrain from populating and otherwise using the illegal structures.
The State informed the Court that it does not have a position regarding the issuance of the interim order.
As early as last summer, the Regavim movement approached the Civil Administration in the territories, demanding that they take steps to supervise and enforce the law over the illegal construction works. During the past year, Regavim sent the Civil Administration detailed documentation of the accelerated pace of construction. This week, after repeated appeals had never been answered, Regavim petitioned the High Court of Justice.
The petition states that the illegal structures are located only a few dozen yards off Road 60, the main artery in the area, creating a security risk for Israeli motorists traveling there. The construction of buildings in this location increases the chances of throwing stones and Molotov cocktails from the illegal outpost at passing cars.
According to a Regavim press release, the fact that the illegal structures in question have been built so close to a main road makes the chance of their receiving approval for the entire project is slim, and therefore, Regavim reasons, Israel must demolish the compound before residents move in.
Attorney Avi Segal of the Regavim movement said in a statement, “Regrettably, the conduct of law enforcement authorities in this case proves that they are not doing enough to prevent similar cases in the future. Illegal construction continues, and the construction of this illegal outpost is due to be concluded in the near future, with blatant and unequivocal disregard for the rule of law, and with the clear knowledge that the supervisory authorities would do nothing to prevent it.”
Yossi Dagan, head of the Shomron Regional Council, said in a statement: “It is inconceivable that under everyone’s nose there appeared a new Palestinian vacation village, and the enforcement authorities on the ground continue to behave as if they suffer from a serious vision problem. We are asking them to demolish this illegal construction site with the same dedication they demolished the settlement of Amona.”