By JPOST.COM STAFFMigron settler kid 311(photo credit: AP)
Security forces have planned on the demolition of the Od Yosef Hai yeshiva in the settlement of Yitzhar in Samaria, Army Radio reported Wednesday.According to the report, the IDF military prosecutor rejected the appeal by the yeshiva after the court ordered the demolition two months ago, claiming that the yeshiva was built illegally. Documents presented by the yeshiva show that various government offices supported the building and even funded the construction of the Od Yosef Hai yeshiva. The documents, explained the military prosecutor, do not offer a substitute for a valid building permit.RELATED:Far-Right elements target Shin Bet in electronic media warLieberman visits Samaria settlementsAccording to defense officials, the demolition will be carried out as a result of Palestinian complaints and extremist declarations by yeshiva head Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira. The court order ordering the demolition two months ago, created a "price tag" policy in which settlers harmed or attacked Palestinians in response to any government action implicating them.Shapira, one of the most influential right-wingers, has long time been the center of attention for the Shin Bet's division which handles Jewish extremism. At the beginning of the week, Shapira was arrested for suspicion of inciting violence in his book Torat Hamelech which discusses the killing of gentiles under Jewish law. The Od Yosef Hai yeshiva is reported to be 1,300 square meters, built with assistance from the Ministry of Housing and approved by various authorities to be used as an educational institution. Since the appeal has been rejected at the prosecutor level, the only alternative is to appeal at the Supreme Court. Thousands of demolition orders exist for buildings in Judea and Samaria but they have not been implemented for various reasons. In this case, there is no intention to immediately destroy the yeshiva, but is primarily intended to put pressure on leaders and keep the option at the ready.
