Thousands plan West Bank march to dismantled settlement over army’s objections

Thousands of people plan to take part Tuesday in a march to the dismantled West Bank settlement of Homesh, despite having not received approval from authorities.

The military has warned organizers that it cannot secure the event, which is set to start at the Shavei Shomron settlement at 11 a.m. and run along 14 kilometers (some 8.5 miles) and several Palestinian villages.

In a letter to organizers in recent days, the Samaria Regional Brigade Commander Maj. Roy Zweig warned that forces were stretched too thin securing various Passover events, due to the high alert for terror attacks across the West Bank.

Zweig warned organizers that they were “knowingly endangering a large group of people who are not familiar with the many security threats involved,” while “misleading the public to believe the event is approved and secured.”

He added that “those choosing to bypass IDF forces situated in the area and to walk through dangerous routes in and near villages are putting their lives at risk.”

March organizers have so far indicated they plan to go ahead with the event.

According to national religious news website Kipa, parents of several settlers killed in terror attacks, in a letter to the prime minister and defense minister Monday, expressed surprise that the military was complaining of a lack of manpower while devoting “much larger forces to enable Muslim holidays,” and while removing the closure on the West Bank for Palestinians.

“Is a festive protest march of the Israeli people on Passover worth less than Muslim celebrations?” they asked.