Is far right radicalizing?
Photo: Reuters
Palestinian weapons recovered in Nablus
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Office
'Far right radicalizing'
Senior security official says lack of enforcement would lead to intensified right-wing disturbances in Nablus area; official sees dramatic decline in terror alerts originating in West Bank town
TEL AVIV - The growing radicalization among far right Jewish activists in the Nablus area would only get worse without proper law enforcement activity, a senior security official warned Thursday.
"At the end of the day, the difficulty stems from presenting courts with evidence," he said.
In a briefing to reporters, the source pointed to a recent increase in disturbances perpetrated by settlers, who are targeting both Palestinians and IDF soldiers.
"We are seeing a trend of radicalization among radical Jews," he said. "This will only worsen, unless we adopt enforcement measures against those radicals."
The official said the problem stems from the radical Jewish population in the vicinity of the West Bank town of Nablus.
"Our problem has to do with a few hundreds who are the hard core," he said.
Meanwhile, the security source said there has been a decline in the number of terror warnings coming from Nablus over plans to stage attacks in Israel. On the other hand, he said, there has been a dramatic increase in attacks such as shootings, firebombing, and stoning of soldiers and settlers.
124 terror plots foiled in Nablus area in 2004
In the last three weeks, however, there have been no warnings about plans to carry out attacks in Israel that have originated in the northern West Bank, the official said.
"We see a very conspicuous change when it comes to terror," he said. "It has turned into a pattern of local activity against the IDF and settlers."
Recent developments are a result of a tougher Palestinian attitude towards Hizbullah intervention in the area, the official said, and pointed to Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Yusuf's pledge to kill those who cooperate with foreign terrorists.
Another factor identified by the official was a growing tendency by Palestinian terrorists to hold off on attacks in light of restraining elements, such as renewed talks and the PA security forces' action.
Fears to "choose the wrong side" are delaying terror attacks for now, the source said.
In 2004, IDF forces foiled 124 terror attacks that originated in Nablus. The figure marks about 60 percent of all terror plots that originated in the West Bank. In addition, security authorities recovered 30 explosive belts and two car bombs, and also uncovered three explosive belts.
