Post by pieter on Apr 30, 2010 11:08:08 GMT -7
Yitzhar extremists: All settlers must fight construction freeze
By Chaim Levinson, Haaretz Correspondent
Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement watch after a Palestinian olive tree field was set ablaze by a group of Jewish settlers on June 19, 2008 in the West Bank village of Burin.
Far-rightists from the West Bank settlement of Yizthar issued a letter responding to the recent clashes between settlers and Israel Defense Forces troops, stating that the fight against government restrictions and the West Bank construction freeze relates to all West Bank settlers, Haaretz learned on Friday.
"This is not just Yitzhar's battle but every settler's fight," the letter sent to settlers in Har Bracha, Itamar and Elon Moreh stated, adding that "on such days, in which the restrictions on the settlements are multiplying, the battle against them is of great importance."
"The recent clashes unfortunately escalated too far, and we are now conducting an internal investigation, so that if we have to deal with such events in the future, we will be able to do so in a more correct manner," the letter added.
Israel Police raided Yitzhar early Thursday morning, arresting seven residents suspected of involvement in attacks on Palestinians. Four more residents were arrested soon after.
The raid followed several clashes over the past few weeks, which culminated on Independence Day, when three soldiers were lightly hurt by stones hurled by the settlers who were protesting IDF restrictions on entering several springs near the settlement.
According to the IDF, the soldiers asked the residents to evacuate the area because it was a closed military zone.
Yitzhar has been at the forefront of the settler movement's campaign, which calls for violent retaliation for government restrictions on Jewish building in the West Bank. Residents have launched numerous attacks on Palestinians, including an arson attack on a mosque in December 2009.
By Chaim Levinson, Haaretz Correspondent
Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement watch after a Palestinian olive tree field was set ablaze by a group of Jewish settlers on June 19, 2008 in the West Bank village of Burin.
Far-rightists from the West Bank settlement of Yizthar issued a letter responding to the recent clashes between settlers and Israel Defense Forces troops, stating that the fight against government restrictions and the West Bank construction freeze relates to all West Bank settlers, Haaretz learned on Friday.
"This is not just Yitzhar's battle but every settler's fight," the letter sent to settlers in Har Bracha, Itamar and Elon Moreh stated, adding that "on such days, in which the restrictions on the settlements are multiplying, the battle against them is of great importance."
"The recent clashes unfortunately escalated too far, and we are now conducting an internal investigation, so that if we have to deal with such events in the future, we will be able to do so in a more correct manner," the letter added.
Israel Police raided Yitzhar early Thursday morning, arresting seven residents suspected of involvement in attacks on Palestinians. Four more residents were arrested soon after.
The raid followed several clashes over the past few weeks, which culminated on Independence Day, when three soldiers were lightly hurt by stones hurled by the settlers who were protesting IDF restrictions on entering several springs near the settlement.
According to the IDF, the soldiers asked the residents to evacuate the area because it was a closed military zone.
Yitzhar has been at the forefront of the settler movement's campaign, which calls for violent retaliation for government restrictions on Jewish building in the West Bank. Residents have launched numerous attacks on Palestinians, including an arson attack on a mosque in December 2009.