
I have some great news to share: Peace Now - our sister organization in Israel - has succeeded in forcing the Israeli government to impose the rule of law and evacuate Migron, the largest illegal outpost in the West Bank. Yesterday, the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected the latest effort by settlers to prevent the outpost's evacuation, ruling that the outpost must be evacuated by next Tuesday, September 4th.
This Court decision is a triumph of the rule of law. It transforms Migron from a symbol of defiance and anarchy into a symbol of respect for the Court and the legal system. It proves that the settlers are not above the law.
Nobody should forget that as a reward for their years-long efforts in the service of Israel's rule of law with respect to illegal outposts, Peace Now leaders have faced an almost non-stop stream of threats and intimidation, including repeated death threats. These proud, patriotic Israelis have met such threats with courage and determination, refusing to back down.
Peace Now's victory on Migron is momentous, but it is by no means the end of the story. The settlers continue to build illegally, and the Israeli government continues to let them. And Prime Minister Netanyahu has boasted that his government is the most pro-settlement government in Israel's history. Peace Now's fight against settlement expansion, whether illegal or sanctioned by the Israeli government, will continue - because Peace Now knows that the alternative is the loss of the very possibility of peace and a two-state solution.
p.s. Look for a briefing call notice early next week giving details of an upcoming call with Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer, who will talk about the implications of this legal victory. Also, for more background on Migron, check out this comprehensive joint APN-Peace Now publication: What's All the Fuss over Migron?





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