A vocal confrontation occurred during a tour by the Yesha (Judea and Samaria) Council and Settlement Minister Orit Strook in a nature reserve in East Gush Etzion. Dozens of Palestinians arrived at the scene and attempted to disrupt the tour, which was also joined by journalists.
This is a place called the "Preservation of Coexistence" area, which was transferred to the Palestinians by Netanyahu as part of the Wye Agreement. It falls under the jurisdiction of Area B, meaning civilian Palestinian control and Israeli security control. The agreement designates it as a nature reserve, but the Palestinians have accelerated construction there in recent years, while they discount the government and the civil administration that have not enforced construction restrictions.
During the tour, the Yesha Council requested to demonstrate the extent of illegal construction by the Palestinians, and the Palestinians arrived to disrupt the event, shouting and threatening the members of the Yesha Council and Minister Orit Strook.
Yesha Council Chairman Shlomo Ne'eman said, "We came here with Minister Orit Strook and representatives of the settlement and the Knesset to show them how the Palestinian Authority is building a city without interference and violating explicit commitments in the Oslo Accords. Representatives of the Palestinian Authority who faced us must hear a clear and unequivocal voice from the government of Israel. The Judean Desert will not be abandoned!"
