Gush Katif settlement leaders accused police of trying to enlist Gaza Strip teenagers as informers during a stormy meeting in the Gaza Strip.
| Fury in Gaza |
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| Settlers call Mofaz ‘traitor’ / By Hanan Greenberg |
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Defense minister gets chilly reception during visit to Gush Katif settlement of Neve Dekalim Tuesday, as dozens of security officers protect him from settlers’ wrath; Mofaz: I appreciate them and even love them |
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The charge was made by Gaza Beach Regional Council leader Avner Shimoni during a Wednesday afternoon meeting with Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi that settlement leaders described as "tense."
Also present was Southern District Commander Ori Bar-Lev.
22 members of the settlement council were invited to the meeting, but all but three boycotted the session.
Cold but polite
As opposed to the fury that greeted Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Tuesday, Karadi received a cold but polite greeting.
Shimoni said the meeting accomplished "serious work", and that "at the end of the day, the police must do their job. "We are law abiding citizens," he said.
Following the meeting, Karadi said he came to listen and pay attention, with an understanding of the pain and suffering of the residents. The police will act with feeling, he said. "We are dealing here with a law-abiding group."
Karadi also said the police would be ready to evacuate the settlements at any time, even if the program is put off.
Shimoni said the settlers have no personal issue with the police, but rather that "our anger is directed towards the prime minister. Our discussions with the police have been clear and pointed. We told him not to arrest people for every flyer or sticker they may possess. We are talking about legitimate protest."
Holiday protests expected
According to Shimoni, the sides discussed preparations for the upcoming Pesach and Independence Day holidays. "We made no secret that hundreds of thousands of people will visit Gush Katif," and he said the police are prepared for the turnout.
Shimoni said some of the toughest words were reserved for the issue of police using Gaza teenagers as informers.
During the meeting a Gaza leader told police their community has a very negative image amongst the settler community.
He gave an example of how the police are perceived. For example, they said last Purim more than 30 children dressed up as police officers; this year, only two did, and one was the son of a cop.
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