Jewish settlers who took over a house in Hebron’s Arab area should be allowed to stay, a top Israel minister said on Tuesday, adding that similar actions, as long as they are done through the proper legal channels, should be encouraged.

The comments, made by Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz came amid a debate within Israel’s leadership as to the way in which the state should respond to Sunday’s takeover.

Hebron’s mayor Khaled Osaily told Israel’s Army Radio that it can be easily proven that the house’s bill of sale was fake. “It’s all fake,” Osaily said, “The person who sold the house to the settlers is not the owner…I am sure of this.”

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Osaily further commented on the controversy surrounding the settlement expansion in the city. “Another house will bring peace? This will bring closeness between people? On the contrary, this will only create problems.”

On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces issued an eviction order for the settlers, according to which they had until Tuesday at 3:00 PM to evacuate the house on their own will, after which “the authorities will act to restore the building to its previous state.”

For more, go to Haaretz.com

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