Tensions are growing between the state prosecutor and the government regarding Ramat Migron. The prosecutor wants the residents to evacuate portions of the community not reported to be on lands purchased by the residents. If these residents do not leave their homes, the state prosecutor appears unwilling to permit the others to remain in the majority of homes which they state were purchased from Arab owners, thereby eliminating the need to move the community. According to residents, they have succeeded in purchasing about 80% of the community and feel this should be sufficient to cancel eviction orders for all of them.

The ministerial committee dealing with the Migron issue is willing to go along with the request from residents after purchasing most of the community but the state prosecutor appears less accommodating, insisting those residents in homes not purchased must evacuate before the appeal comes before the High Court.

A new venue has been selected for the community, near Psagot Winery, at a cost of over 55 million NIS. Residents feel the move should no longer be required as they have purchased most of the homes and thereby removed any question of doubt regarding their legal status. The court will have to decide (a) to recognize the legality of the purchase (b) to permit the community to remain based on the legal status decision.

Cabinet Secretary Tzvi Hauser told the residents’ committee that the state will have a difficult time justifying supporting their request since 30 families live in homes that are undisputed regarding their status. The committee however feels that since the court agreed to postpone the expulsion for now, there is no need for those families to leave their homes. The left-wing Peace Now organization continues to use its influence to have the residents evicted.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)