(Andrew Friedman/TPS) The IDF has deployed troops to blockade Amona. Bulldozers have blocked off all the approaches except the main entrance, which is under military control. Only residents whose ID cards state they live in Amona are being allowed in.

Earlier today, the government issued the resident evacuation orders signed by the Military Governor, giving them 48 hours to evacuate the illegal outpost the Supreme Court has ordered to be dismantled. Attempts to threaten the bailiffs and prevent them from distributing the orders were thwarted. Fearing attempts by settlers to escalate the situation and erect barricades, the IDF deployed forces to prevent Jewish radicals from interfering with the evacuation process.

It seems the government decided to surprise the residents and begin the evacuation a few days before the deadline expires, on the 8th of February, to thwart any plans to organize violent resistance to the implementation of the Supreme Court order.

It is not clear whether the government’s announcement that it would start the process of passing the controversial Expropriation Act (Chok Hahasdara) was made in good faith, or whether this was a diversionary tactic to lull the settlers into a false sense of security. The proposed law would allow the government to retroactively expropriate land on which settlements had been illegally built so they can remain where they are despite having been built on privately owned land. Palestinian landowners would supposedly be compensated for the land expropriated under the law.

Earlier this week, a demonstration organized to protest Amona’s evacuation fizzled. The organizers expected thousands, but only a few hundred turned up. The strike in the settlements was also only partially observed.