Settlers try to establish outpost on Jordan border
"Hilltop youth" break into closed military zone along border to protest Jordanian condemnation of Mugrabi Bridge closure.
By JPOST.COM STAFF, TOVAH LAZAROFFHilltop Youth on the Jordanian border 311(photo credit: Channel 10)
Some 30 right-wing activists broke into a closed military zone along the Jordanian border and occupied an old building on the site in order to establish a settlement outpost Monday night.According to the IDF, the activists breached the fence near the area of Kasr al-Yehud, but did not cross the international border between the two countries. They were, however, threatening to do so according to Channel 2.RELATED:'Mugrabi Bridge closure is religious war'City demands closure of Mugrabi Bridge in one weekThe activists from the "hilltop youth" occupied the site near Jericho in protest of the Jordanian government's stance against the closure of the Mugrabi Bridge connecting the Western Wall to the Temple Mount.
The site itself is in a closed military zone separating the West Bank and the Jordanian border. Located near the banks of the Jordan River, the it is revered by many Christians as the place where biblical Saint John was baptized.The activists were located approximately 200 meters from the border.Large IDF and police forces had surrounded the area and were expected to clear the activists shortly.MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) said that if Jordan intervenes in Israel's internal affairs, it should not be surprised if Israelis do the same.
The issue of the Mugrabi bridge was reportedly raised late last month during a meeting in Amman between President Shimon Peres and Jordan's King Abdullah II.Reuters contributed to this report.
