Bennett to defy Tu B'Shvat with destruction of trees in Judea

This past Thursday, Jeremy Gimpel, one of the founders of the Arugot Farm near Tekoa in Judea, received notice from the IDF that the vineyard that he and his partners planted on state land five years ago is slated to be demolished beginning on Jan. 16, on the week of Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish holiday when it’s customary to plant trees, except during the Shmita (Sabbatical) year.

“Nothing like this has happened in Judea in more than 10 years,” said Gimpel, who is completely baffled by this order. “There is no reason to destroy our vineyard. It’s on state land!,” Gimpel said.

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