A spokesman for Premier Menochem Begin announced today that the settlers of Elon Moreh have agreed to leave voluntarily and accept an alternative site offered by the government at Djebel Kebir, about six miles away. The announcement, by Begin’s press aide, Shlomo Nakdimon, indicated that a government crisis over the forcible evacuation of Elon Moreh has been averted.
Nakdimon spoke to reporters following a meeting between Begin and Elon Moreh settlers and their Gush Emunim backers. There was no announcement by the Gush Emunim who were reported to be conferring among themselves. Yesterday, the Elan Moreh settlers voted never to leave the settlement of their own accord.
Nakdimon also announced that no new road would be built to Djebel Kebir as the existing access road is considered sufficient. A new road would have required the seizure of Arab-owned lands, a move that would have precipitated another appeal to the Supreme Court by the Arab owners.
The high court ruled in favor of an appeal by Arab villagers on Oct. 22 when it ordered Elan Moreh removed on grounds that it was established illegally on Arab land. The government’s policy, angrily opposed by the Gush Emunim, is to utilize only State-owned land on the West Bank for settlement purposes. The existing road to Djebel Kebir is on State-owned land.
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