More clashes after High Court reaffirms Beit El demolitions

Six youths were injured Wednesday, on the third day of clashes between demonstrators and police, after the High Court upheld its first order to demolish two Beit El apartment buildings under construction.  They are to be torn down by Thursday. The police used water cannons to break up the demonstration as tractors arrived to knock the buildings down.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (of the pro-settlement Bayit Yehudi party) said the buildings will most likely be reconstructed shortly after being torn down. Building permits were obtained from the authorities, but they were acquired post factum, which made them invalid, according to the High Court.