Jalud families still unable to return to burned homes despite High Court order

The state acknowledged 'shame and failure' before the High Court of Justice over a failed operation to return a Palestinian family to its home in Jalud, which ended with the family evacuated under attack and their homes burned. Justices questioned why the residents remain displaced seven weeks after the court ordered their return.

The state acknowledged a sense of 'shame and failure' before the High Court of Justice on Monday over an operation to return a Palestinian family to its home in Jalud that ended with its evacuation under attack. The justices questioned why the residents remained displaced and their homes had burned despite an order intended to protect them. The Monday hearing returned to the case of three Palestinian petitioners whose homes near the West Bank village, south of Nablus, had been taken over by Israeli extremists. Seven weeks after the court ordered authorities to secure their return, the discussion concerned how to protect workers repairing the damaged houses before the residents could live in them again. Justice Dafna Barak-Erez told the deputy commander of the IDF's Judea and Samaria Division that 'sometimes, even when time is needed, there is no time.' The state's October 8 response described Border Police officers shielding the residents with their bodies after exhausting crowd-control ammunition. The homes were now burned and unsuitable for an immediate return. The petitioners have sought enforcement through contempt proceedings, including a daily NIS 50,000 fine. The state opposes that request. The deputy division commander estimated up to 30 days for preparations, while stressing that operational circumstances could affect it.