Security minister predicts no violence in Amona evacuation

Erdan — who oversees the police — is asked by Zionist Union MK Eitan Broshi how the security forces are gearing up for the evacuation of the Amona outpost by the December 25 court deadline.

The minister replies that he is still holding on to hope that there will be no evacuation.

“I still hope that the Regulation Bill will both pass and will apply to Amona and prevent the evacuation,” he says.

Erdan acknowledges that the legislation may not avert the demolition, but says in such a case he has “no doubt” the police will do their job and the government will comply with the court order.

Police clashing with settlers and protesters at the Amona outpost in 2006. (photo credit: Yossi Zamir, Flash90)

He says he is familiar with the Amona residents and “the majority or all are law-abiding and will not lift a hand against a policeman.”

“I don’t think that we should expect images similar to what happened in Amona ten years ago,” he says, referring to violent clashes between police and settlers in Amona in 2006 that left over 200 people injured.

— Marissa Newman