Outposts, rioters, and zero enforcement: what is happening now in the territories?
In the village of Qusra, located in Area B, Jewish rioters arrive on weekends and attack Palestinian residents. Despite condemnations by the Prime Minister and an increased alert level, incidents repeat without arrests. Ynet military correspondent Elisha Ben Kimon explains why Qusra has become a flashpoint.
Listen to "The Headline" — ynet's daily news podcast. This time: what is happening in the territories.
"Qusra is located in Area B. Some extremists decided to break the boundaries and invest effort there. In their view, the Palestinian Authority has a broad plan to control the mountain ridges in Judea and Samaria — one of them is located there as well. They established an outpost in the vicinity called Tel Talpiot, and much of the activity focused around a structure in Qusra. From this structure, there is a view of the entire area; it is a strategic point that the rioters claim is critical for the Palestinians," explains ynet military correspondent Elisha Ben Kimon.
"It is important to note that the Oslo Accords are still valid. Everything that happens outside of Area C, from a settlement perspective, is illegal, certainly outposts, but also roads leading between settlements in Area C. Over the years, the extremists on the hills tried to challenge the system and advance. At first, it was mainly in the open areas in Area C — efforts that the State of Israel failed to deal with. As Bezalel Smotrich's moves progressed since the government was formed, the extremists went forward into Areas B and A, and the line of confrontation narrowed. Today, an average Palestinian looking out their window can see an outpost that appeared suddenly. This raises the level of friction and leads to what is happening in Qusra."
