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"Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Thursday decided to postpone the evacuation of the settlement outpost of Amona, near Ofra, for another two weeks.
Mofaz said he made the decision due to a petition to the High Court of Justice filed by Amona residents, which the court has agreed to hear next Wednesday, and the Palestinian Authority elections, which are scheduled for January 25.
At the same time, however, he ordered the dismantling of three Nablus-area outposts - the Aroussi Farm near Bracha, the Skelly Farm near Elon Moreh and Hill 725 near Yitzhar - to proceed. A few dozen settlers live in these three outposts, and the evacuations will probably take place next week.
Demolition orders against these outposts were issued some time ago, but until Thursday, Mofaz had never given the order to implement them. The decision to do so now is apparently due partly to American pressure and partly to the desire of Mofaz's party, Kadima, to paint itself as tough on enforcing the law in the territories. On Thursday, the army demolished four foundations for prefab houses that had been built without a permit in the settlement of Rahelim.
According to Mofaz's associates, the minister is particularly anxious to move against the three Nablus-area outposts, because many Palestinian olive trees in their vicinity have been vandalized, and the government has decided to crack down on the vandals."
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