Khan al-Ahmar Evacuation Promise Unfulfilled 150 Days After Minister's Order
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Over 150 days after Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered the demolition of the Khan al-Ahmar outpost, the site remains standing. Smotrich's order was issued following an international arrest warrant against him, which he called a "declaration of war." Previous governments, including one led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also failed to fulfill promises to evacuate the outpost, which has grown over the past nine years.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Bezalel Smotrich's order to demolish Khan al-Ahmar has not been implemented 150 days later.
- Smotrich issued the demolition order in response to an international arrest warrant against him.
- Khan al-Ahmar is an illegal Bedouin outpost located on Highway 1 between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim.
- Previous Israeli governments, including Benjamin Netanyahu's, also failed to fulfill evacuation promises.
- The outpost has grown significantly over the past nine years despite repeated promises of removal.
Despite Minister Bezalel Smotrich's order 150 days ago to demolish the Bedouin outpost of Khan al-Ahmar, the site remains standing. Smotrich, who chairs the Regavim movement, had previously petitioned the High Court to evacuate the outpost, located on Highway 1 between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim. Previous governments, including the one led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had also promised to clear the site but failed to do so. Following the establishment of the current government in 2022, which includes Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the state informed the High Court that it would not evacuate Khan al-Ahmar, leading to the matter fading from public attention.
Smotrich reignited the issue recently, issuing a demolition order for the illegal outpost. This action was framed as a response to an international arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which he characterized as a "declaration of war." During a press conference, Smotrich stated, "From today, every economic or other target that I can harm within my authority will be attacked. Not talk and gimmicks, actions." He vowed that the demolition order was "just the beginning."
However, more than 150 days have passed since Smotrich signed the order, and no action has been taken. The article notes that Khan al-Ahmar has become a symbol of unfulfilled promises by right-wing politicians. Prime Minister Netanyahu himself had previously pledged that the outpost would be evacuated "within a few weeks," a promise made nine years ago, during which time the Palestinian encampment has grown significantly.