SETTLERS RETURN TO HOMESH

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000546

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2018
TAGS: KWBG PBTS PREL PHUM IS
SUBJECT: SETTLERS RETURN TO HOMESH

REF: A. 07 JERUSALEM


B. 07 JERUSALEM 576

C. 07 TEL AVIV 2995

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: On a March 26 visit POLOFF verified that
settlers maintain a presence at Homesh settlement, which was
evacuated in 2005. POLOFF met 5 youths and a rabbi at Homesh
who said they had re-established the yeshiva there. POLOFF
saw no IDF presence at the settlement. END SUMMARY


2. (C) On March 26, POLOFF visited the former north West
Bank settlement of Homesh, which was one of four West Bank
settlements evacuated during Gaza disengagement in 2005 and a
frequent site of protests for ideological settlers. Per
reftels, there have been numerous attempts by settlers to
reoccupy the area, which has required IDF attention and
resources.


3. (C) POLOFF encountered a rabbi and five youths, who said
they maintain a twenty-four hour presence and have
re-established the yeshiva that once housed 100 students.
They said there are "tens" of settlers living at Homesh. The
rabbi pointed to the surrounding Arab villages and said "soon
this will all be filled with Jews" adding that "Only God
knows the future." One 14 year old Amcit settler told POLOFF
that he had come from Haifa to Homesh before its evacuation
and now lives at the site. The rabbi said "within one to two
years" Homesh will be fully reestablished. POLOFF observed
that the settlers are camping near the last remaining
structure on the hilltop, a large water tower painted bright
orange.


4. (C) COMMENT: The full time presence of settlers at
Homesh (and the apparent absence of the IDF) is significant.
Settlers have engaged in a regular game of cat and mouse with
the IDF at Homesh since its evacuation, and they appear to
have succeeded. END COMMENT.
WALLES