A provocative move by Jewish settlers that could upset the Middle East peace process has opened a rift between the Likud leadership and some of its far-right coalition partners.
About 40 Jewish families occupied five houses in the Arab village of Silwan within the environs of Jerusalem early Wednesday morning. All but one of the houses was vacated by late afternoon, after prolonged negotiations with police.
The settlers claim the houses were lawfully acquired. State Attorney Yosef Harish, assigned the task of deciding if their claim is valid, promised a legal opinion within the next few days.
The clandestine move occurred four days before U.S. Secretary of State James Baker was due in the region for another attempt to wrap up a Middle East peace conference.
But far-right Knesset members, who make no secret of their hope to sabotage peace talks, descended on the scene to encourage and support the settlers.
Police demanded that the settlers leave because of the delicate security situation. They were apparently acting under orders from Police Minister Ronni Milo, with the approval of Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir.
Silwan, a center of intifada activity, has been under curfew since Monday to forestall possible disturbances on the first anniversary of the Temple Mount riots on Oct. 8, 1990.
Local residents warned that a violent reaction was inevitable if Jews remained at the site.
The village stayed quiet, even though police prevented Arab families from reclaiming the vacated houses. But riots broke out Wednesday in other Arab parts of Jerusalem. Roadblocks were set up and activists with loudspeakers urged the populace to protest the new settlement at Silwan.
Although Likud leaders are strong advocates of Jewish settlement everywhere in the biblical Land of Israel, Shamir said the Silwan settlers acted illegally.
‘BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT’S BACK’
Yossi Ahimeir, the prime minister’s chief of staff, pointed out that unlike the West Bank, Jerusalem is not subject to future negotiations and there is no need for such demonstrative acts.
“No one can do such things behind the government’s back,” declared Foreign Minister David Levy.
And Deputy Defense Minister Ovadia Eli said the settlers acted “like thieves in the night.”
Justice Minister Dan Meridor, a Likud moderate, was also critical.
Spokespersons for the left-wing opposition parties called the settlement a deliberate effort to jeopardize the peace process.
Although details were scarce, it appears that the houses in Silwan were purchased by the Ateret Cohanim yeshiva in the Old City, with government funds. The yeshiva claims the property was owned by Jews more than 60 years ago, before the 1929 Arab uprising in Palestine.
The government funds reportedly were funneled through the Himnuta real estate company and the Amidar housing company. Amidar is controlled by the Housing Ministry, headed by Ariel Sharon, an outspoken advocate of massive Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem.
The police said Knesset member Hanan Porat of the National Religious Party informed them Tuesday of the planned move into Silwan.
Porat, himself a settlement advocate, promised the operation would be postponed because of the tense political situation and Baker’s visit.
He said later that he thought he had the word of the settlers on this and was surprised to learn Wednesday morning that it had been broken.
Four right-wing Knesset members rushed to the scene to lend moral support. Michael Eitan of Likud and three members of Tehiya — Gershon Shafat, Geula Cohen and Elyakim Haetzni — joined the settlers arguing with police.
Most of the settlers had departed by late afternoon. The one family that stayed behind, under heavy police protection, named the building Mayouhas House, after the Jewish family that occupied it in the 1920s.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
