Israeli court rules settlers own Hebron building

Maan News Agency

Published today 13:06

TEL AVIV, Israel (Ma’an) -- An Israel court ruled on Thursday that settlers had legally purchased a Palestinian home in the center of Hebron, and it should be handed over to them within 30 days, Israeli press said.

Beit Hameriva (the House of Contention) was built in 1995 in the al-Ras neighborhood which links Israeli settlement Kiryat Arba to the Ibrahimi Mosque.

Israeli settlers took over the building in 2007 saying they had purchased it from Palestinians, but the sale was disputed in Israel's Hgh Court High Court, and in 2008 the settlers were evacuated.

The Jerusalem District Court on Thursday said the settlers legally purchased the building from the 'Tal Building and Investments Karnei Shomron' Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

Around 800 Jewish settlers live in Hebron's Old City, among 30,000 Palestinians in the parts of the ancient city that are under Israeli control.