Evyatar march to move forward with security approval, MKs in attendance

Preparations are underway for a march toward the illegal West Bank outpost of Evyatar on Monday, with more than a dozen MKs announcing their plans to participate.

Intended to be a response to the recent spike in terror attacks, the march will start from the Tapuah junction at noon and move toward Evyatar. Among those planning to attend are Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan called on the Israeli public to join the march, as did several right-wing movements that organized the event.

“In the face of the wave of terrorism, let us all raise our heads high with the Israeli flag to march,” Dagan said.

Security officials, however, are concerned. According to the N12 news site, authorities believe the march will take combat soldiers away from more tactical positions in order to protect the marchers. They are also concerned that the event will divert security forces from pursuing terrorists who are still on the run, such as the attacker who killed sisters Maia and Rina Dee in the Jordan Valley on Friday.

Organizers said that the route of the march has been chosen to be suitable for strollers so as to attract whole families.

The event was approved in advance and has been planned in coordination with the IDF and Israel Police. This is in contrast to a protest that took place after the terror attack in Huwara last month, during which dozens gathered in violation of the law and sat upon the hilltop. Only a full day later were they evacuated by security forces, leading to clashes between the sides.

The ongoing wave of terrorism

On Friday, a shooting attack near Hamra junction in the Jordan Valley resulted in the deaths of British-Israeli citizens Maia and Rina Dee, ages 20 and 15, as well as the severe wounding of their mother, Leah.

Later, a terrorist ramming attack was carried out in Tel Aviv, killing an Italian tourist and wounding seven people.

As a result of the heightened tensions, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the reinforcement of forces in the Judea and Samaria Division as well as the extension of the general lockdown in the region.

He also announced the closing of crossings in the Gaza Strip until Wednesday night, blocking Palestinian worshipers from going to al-Aqsa Mosque until then.