Settlers set up new outpost in memory of slain Salomon family
Halamish-Neveh Tzuf residents set up tents, tables and chairs at a nearby junction and block eastern road to the settlement to Palestinian movement; they demand the government for new construction, as well as setting up increased security measures already approved and budgeted.
Hundreds of settlers gathered early Sunday at the Neveh Tzuf junction near Halamish to erect an outpost in response to the terror attack at the settlement Friday night that claimed the lives of three Israelis.
The outpost was named Yad Ahi, in memory of the three slain members of the Salomon family: Yosef, 70, and his children Haya, 46, and Elad, 35.
The protesters prepared for a long stay at the outpost with tents, chairs and tables.
Israeli security forces have arrived at the scene.
Following the attack, the settler leaders in Halamish met to discuss plans for the future, seeking to expand the settlement with more housing units.
They examined maps of the area and discussed different places to settle. They intend to discuss these plans with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government's ministers.
The settlers demanded the defense establishment to restore security to the residents by completing security plans that have already been budgeted but not yet implemented.
In addition, they demanded to close the eastern road to the settlement to Palestinian movement, after it was used by both al-Abed and another Palestinian terrorist who set houses in the settlement on fire several months. The settlers have taken to block that road themselves by placing a shipping container on it.
The settlers also demanded the government to create territorial contiguity of Jewish settlement from the Salomon family home to the nearby neighborhood of Tzofit. This, they say, will create a bigger security area and allow building neighborhoods that have already received zoning approvals.
"We call on the Israeli government with a clear voice—strengthen the settlement enterprise," said Avi Roeh, the head of the Binyamin Region Council and the Yesha Council.
"We remain steadfast in our views and positions, despite the serious losses, and call on the government to aid us in expanding the (Jewish) settlement in the Binyamin region specifically and in Judea and Samaria in general," he added.
He went on to say, "We're here forever and ever and we have no intention of running away from here. Halamish-Neveh Tzuf is one of the settlements in Binyamin chosen as a home by the next generation. They get married and come here to raise their children."
