AMONA

Amona: translation

A small, illegalGush Emunimoutpost near theWest Bank settlementof Ofra that was evacuated and demolished by Israeli police and soldiers in early 2006. The evacuation took place despite rioting by some 4,000 protestors, mostly settler youth determined to test the resolve of Acting Prime MinisterEhud Olmert. A parliamentary commission of inquiry, in its interim report issued on 21 March 2006, concluded that both sides were to blame for the unprecedented violence: the political echelon did not make the necessary preparations and did not coordinate the evacuation operation with forces tasked with the mission; settler leaders belonging to theYeshaCouncil lost control over the settlers, especially the so-called hilltop youths; and police officers involved in the evacuation used excessive force.

See alsoSettlement Outposts.