Israel tells court Bedouin Palestinians may return to Jordan Valley site

The Israeli state has informed the High Court of Justice that Bedouin Palestinian residents of Ras Ein al-Auja can return to their Jordan Valley community, provided they coordinate with the army. However, the state rejected several key security and access requests made by the residents.

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The military commander’s position, the state stressed, is that there is no legal obstacle preventing the petitioners or other residents of the Ras Ein al-Auja cluster from coming to the site.

The update, filed by the State Attorney's Office, follows a February High Court decision that ordered authorities to facilitate the residents' return and report on security measures. The community claims they were forced out by sustained settler harassment, including intimidation and livestock theft.

The state, however, maintains that no formal eviction occurred and that security forces are present to prevent friction. While allowing residents to coordinate their return with military accompaniment for initial hours, the state refused to station a permanent police force or declare the area a closed military zone for Israelis. The state cited the ongoing Iran operation as a reason for delays in responding to earlier requests.

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It added that no private civilian actor has the authority to order them to leave or to act independently to force them out.

Officials stated there is no legal impediment to the residents' return and that private citizens cannot force them out. Despite this, the state found no current justification for the requested security measures, though it left the door open for reconsideration if circumstances change. The case highlights ongoing tensions and legal battles over land and security in the Jordan Valley.

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The state said that, after a renewed review by officials in the Jordan Valley and the local brigade, no current justification was found for such a step.