The IDF's Civilian Administration issued a demolition order Sunday against the spacious building that houses Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva at Yitzhar, in Samaria. MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union), in an unprecedented statement, warned that bloodshed would ensue.

Local residents believe that authorities are purposely punishing the yeshiva because of a confrontation with the IDF that took place on Independence Day, and also because security forces hold the yeshiva's students responsible for various attacks against Arabs in recent months and years, including the burning of a carpet in a mosque at the nearby village of Yassuf.

"It turns out that the authorities are making special efforts to hurt the yeshiva in an unfair and vindictive way,” a yeshiva spokesman said Sunday. “It should be noted that the building is an ornate permanent structure, with an area of 1,300 square meters, which was built with the aid of the Ministry of Housing and was approved by the various authorities to serve as an educational institution.”

The destruction order, the residents said, cited an 11 year old work-stoppage order – one that they had never heard of until now. The building took years to build and cost over $1 million.

"We intend to take action on all levels to cancel and prevent the wicked destruction,” the yeshiva stated. “We hope that we will merit the right to see a proper Jewish government that recognizes its right and obligation to act on behalf of the Jews in their land.”

MK Eldad reacted to the news Sunday by declaring that “the Defense Minister and his yes-man, the Head of the Civilian Administration, declared war on the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria when they issued a demolition order against the Yitzhar Yeshiva that was established 11 years ago.”

"Only a person whose narrow political interests are served by the bloodshed that can be expected in this case would consider playing with fire in this way,” Eldad said, in a reference to Defense Minister Ehud Barak. “But the responsibility rests with the Prime Minister, who allows Nero to burn Israel even as he plays the piano in [his apartment at] the Akirov Towers.” This, too, was a reference to Barak, who lives in the luxurious Akirov Towers in Tel Aviv.

"If Bibi does not stop Barak – the blood that will be shed in this crazy action will be on his hands, too,” Eldad warned.

Residents say that the IDF is punishing them for an incident that occurred on Independence Day. The IDF said that residents from Yitzhar tried to enter the Arab village of Madma, and IDF soldiers blocked their way. A violent altercation ensued in which residents from Yitzhar allegedly threw rocks at the soldiers.


Inside the yeshiva.