'Government is sanctioning our murder'

Settler leaders claim government is de-legitimizing their anti-pullout campaign
By Efrat Weiss and Tal Rosner

TEL AVIV - A Yesha Council leader said Tuesday that government efforts to de-legitimize opponents of the disengagement plan have created a widespread feeling of public animosity that could lead to violence against settlers.

"You have created a situation where the shooting of every settler is permitted. You're sanctioning our murder," Bentzi Lieberman said to Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra during a charged meeting in Tel Aviv Tuesday evening.

Settlers protest pullout (Photo: Gadi Kabalo)

The meeting was attended by several settler leaders from the West Bank and Gaza. Police Chief Moshe Karadi and other senior security officials were also present.

The meeting began on a tense note after settler leaders charged that Ezra and the police, among others, were exaggerating incitement reports in an effort to de-legitimize Israelis living in the territories.

"The public atmosphere projected by government offices is one of stifling public debate and imprisoning people just because of their political opposition," Lieberman said. "These things come from the government…there are those who fuel the incitement and turn the media against us."

'Police will not allow illegal acts'

Ezra said he did not understand what Lieberman was aiming to imply.

"We are concerned about those who fuel the atmosphere and cause violence," the minister said.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to call on evacuees and evacuators to refrain from violence. The sides also agreed to meet again and to come up with legitimate and acceptable forms to protest the pullout.

The sides also discussed calls to hold a national referendum on the disengagement plan, but Ezra told Yesha leaders the wheel cannot be turned back to the referendum idea.