Monday's decision to dissolve the Knesset and hold a new election, which will see Foreign Minister Yair Lapid take over as prime minister, is creating concern in Judea and Samaria, where settlers fear that a left-wing government policy without checks and balances from the Right could see increased evacuations of disputed areas.
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The government, soon to become a transition government, is facing decisions about two major evacuations. Benny Gantz wants to evacuate the yeshiva at Homesh in Samaria, which the right-wing flank of the government has blocked. The government is also slated to submit its response to a petition about the evacuation of the illegal Palestinian outpost Khan al-Ahmar. The response is due in two and a half weeks.
Other areas about which decisions will have to be made include various hilltop outposts in Judea and Samaria, whose residents say Gantz has declared all-out war on them.
Israel Hayom has learned that the hilltop settlers planned to meet Monday night to discuss the latest political developments.
"This past week, we've received a number of indications that the security establishment intends to create ruination on the hills in the next few weeks, and now the fall of the government is only stepping up that concern," they said.
The hilltop settlers called on the public to be prepared to be prepared for decisions to evacuate.
"We are urging the public to be on the lookout in the next few days, and be ready to come out here en masse to stop the forces of destruction if, God forbid, an evacuation takes place. This is the swan song of the government, which must be stropped until a right-wing government can be formed that will rectify the damage done by the previous governments and launch a new era for settlement," they said.
The hilltop settlers said that in recent days, members of the IDF's Civil Administration have visited some of the hilltop outposts, which they claim points to a possible evacuation in the week to some.
"Today, the war for the land in Judea and Samaria is more important than ever, given the growing Arab seizure of land ahead of a Palestinian state. Even if the government decides to act against the settlements and carries out dozens of evacuations, we'll continue to fight for the historical land of the Jewish people," they said.
However, the possible evacuation of Israeli outposts was not the settlers' only concern. Residents of settlements are also preparing for the next stage of the battle to evacuate Khan al-Ahmar, which managed to remain in place after the last election.
In about 20 days, the government is scheduled to respond to an injunction issued by the High Court of Justice on the evacuation of Khan al-Ahmar. The government is being asked to explain why demolition permits issued for the homes in the illegal settlement, built on land that belongs to Kfar Adumim, have not been implemented.
The Jerusalem Periphery Forum (Forum Otef Yerushalayim), which represents the local settlements, are concerned that Gantz and Prime Minister-designate Yair Lapid will attempt to regulate the illegal Palestinian settlement before the government is dissolved.
"Unfortunately, we've recently been hearing rumors that Defense Minister Gantz wants to set up a first Palestinian city in Area C, on Highway 1, which leads to the capital of Israel, and essentially regulate the illegal village Khan al-Ahmar and other illegal [Palestinian] construction in the area.
"The concern is that now Lapid, as prime minister [designate] and Gantz will pull a fast one. The High Court has handed down a number of rulings that the illegal construction is to be demolished. We hope that the lawbreakers won't be given a boon," the forum said.
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