JERUSALEM // Israel’s parliament yesterday rejected an attempt by hardliners to prevent the demolition of the illegal Ulpana outpost on the West Bank.
The vote set the stage for a showdown between the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Jewish settlers and their supporters in his government.
The Supreme Court has said the Ulpana outpost, where 30 families live, is illegal because it was built on private Palestinian land and must be demolished by July 1.
Parliamentary hardliners submitted yesterday’s legislation in a bid to keep the outpost’s five apartment buildings intact, and instead compensate the Palestinian landowners.
Mr Netanyahu opposed the legislation, which was defeated by a 69-22 vote in the 120-member parliament. Instead, he wants to uproot the Ulpana buildings and physically move them to Beit El, a nearby settlement.
Hardliners oppose the demolition or moving of the homes.
About 2,000 settlers, nearly all of them observant Jews wearing knit skull caps protested outside the parliament ahead of the vote, and some activists have begun hunger strikes to protest against the destruction of Ulpana. Settler leaders have promised peaceful resistance against the order.
Police, however, said two arrests were made when young demonstrators scuffled with authorities.
“The Knesset chose destruction instead of construction. We will not be deterred. We will continue to build,” said a settler leader, Dani Dayan. “We still haven’t decided how to proceed but the struggle will now go to the field we will fight for the buildings.”
After the vote, Mr Netanyahu moved to placate settlers by announcing plans to add 300 new homes to Beit El, which is near Ramallah.
“Beit El will be expanded, the 30 families will remain in Beit El, and 300 new families will join them,” he said after the vote in remarks relayed by public radio.
Mr Netanyahu has backed a plan to move the five buildings in Ulpana stone by stone to Beit El itself.
“Instead of diminishing Beit El, expanding it. Instead of harming the settlement, strengthening it,” he said.
The Israeli leader has come under attack for his decision to oppose legislation, but insisted his government remained a champion of the settler movement.
“I understand your pain. I share it,” Mr Netanyahu said.
“There is no government that would support the settler movement more than the one I head, we will continue to strengthen the settlement movement and strengthen the democracy.”
* Associated Press with additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
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Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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Three and a half stars
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Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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Capernaum (Lebanon)
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Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
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Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km