MOSHE DANN

Despite warnings from the heads of Israel’s military and security forces that Hamas and Hezbollah are active throughout the West Bank, particularly in northern Samaria, and will turn the area into another Lebanon if Israel withdraws, Israeli leaders are planning to do just that.

Statements by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Amir Peretz that they will follow "The Road Map" (devised by the Quartet – which includes Russia, a major supplier of Iranian nuclear bomb-making facilities and Syrian/Hezbollah arms) are a clear indication that Jewish communities are once again on the chopping block.

Recent suggestions that unilateral withdrawal ("realignment," "convergence," etc) from Judea and Samaria are temporarily off the agenda apparently do not apply to all Jewish communities.

According to an official source in the Defense Minister's office, "illegal outposts," extensions of long-established Jewish communities and strategically located off-shoots that were built with government assistance, have been given demolition and evacuation notices and will be destroyed.

In preparation for the next stage of unilateral withdrawal Israeli police have also arrested Jewish "activists" throughout Judea and Samaria. No charges, no trials.

The IDF confirmed that "in cooperation with all Israeli security bodies,” it will “conduct...enforcement operations in regard to illegal settlements, according to decisions of the political echelon."

The IDF also confirmed that it had given restrictive orders and arrest warrants to Jewish residents "following the decision of the Minister of Defense and the Prime Minister." The orders were signed by Capt. Harel Weinberg, legal advisor to the military authority in the area, under General Yair Naveh.

A military source explained that these warrants "are given to law breakers who act violently towards Palestinians living in the area or security forces operating in the area." This includes those who have been involved in self-defense actions and other confrontations.

An example is Boaz Albert, who lived with his wife, Irit, and six children on "Hill 725," a neighborhood ("outpost") of Yitzhar with a half dozen families. On June 22 the police served him with orders prohibiting him from residing in Judea and Samaria. Since her husband's banishment, Irit has been living in her home alone with her children.

Why Albert? A year and a half ago, Albert, the security chief of Yitzhar, was resting at home one afternoon when an Arab "olive picker" broke into his home. Albert managed to wound the intruder, who ran away, but later died of his wounds. After a thorough investigation by police and the IDF, and media accusations of deliberate murder, Albert was cleared of all criminal charges. But the police suspect that he would try to resist the destruction of his home.

Ariel Gruner, who works with Honenu, a legal defense organization, and also lives on Hill 725 with his wife and child, was just released after serving two months in prison. Again, there was no trial and no charges.

Neriyah Ofen of Yitzhar was forbidden to be in his home for months – or face jail. Again no charges were filed.

The IDF refused to answer whether those who had been arrested or forced to leave their homes had been charged or suspected of any criminal activity.

Several actions against Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria were carried out during the Lebanese war and Prime Minister Olmert has indicated that his plans for unilateral withdrawal have been "postponed" but remain operative.

Recent rumors that the Ministry of Justice might consider "legalizing" some of the outposts slated for destruction have not been confirmed and most believe this to be an attempt by the government to throw opponents off balance.

Spokespeople for the outposts emphasize that the outposts guard the perimeters of larger communities and provide a first line of defense. Although the Legal Forum for the Land of Israel (www.leumi.org.il) has challenged the government's position that the outposts are "illegal," their status is uncertain.

All "outposts" have been built on state land or private land which was purchased or unclaimed. All were built with the supervision and assistance of local councils and the IDF.

Ironically, Israel, which has made every effort to respect and protect Arab property rights, ignores those of Jews. In the forefront of the fight against discrimination against Jews elsewhere, the Israeli government has enacted what appears to be an unjust policy in Judea and Samaria..

According to official figures, hundreds of thousands of illegal structures have been built by Arabs throughout Israel, including the “West Bank” -- tens of thousand in Jerusalem alone. Yet, few of them have been destroyed by the authorities.

In contrast, the government is following a policy in Judea and Samaria which can only be described as resolutely anti-Zionist.

Not only does this policy serve no purpose, it is a security risk. Muslim terrorists are able to establish themselves in Israel's heartland, depriving Israel of its strategic position and control of natural resources, especially water. Nearly everyone, from military experts to environmentalists predicts Israeli withdrawal will be disastrous.

Think we learned any lessons from Gaza and Lebanon? Think again.

Moshe Dann is a writer living in Jerusalem. He suggests sending protest letters