The eviction of Uplana, the contested neighborhood in the West Bank
settlement of Beit El, began Tuesday morning, bringing an end to a
tumultuous legal battle over its future. Defense Ministry bulldozers,
movers and contractors arrived at the settlement in the early morning
hours to oversee the process. Defense establishment officials said
that the eviction and relocation process of all families is expected
to be completed by Friday. Beit El Rabbi Zalman Melamed led a morning
prayer service ahead of the eviction. Before the relocation, which
will see five contested buildings moved several hundred yards away to
Beit El's military base, the defense establishment had caravillas
shuttled to the settlement.
