Troops dismantle outpost
Photo: Sharon Katz
Settlers: police harassing us
Residents complain of false arrests, needless safety checks in wake of violent outpost evacuation
Harassment or routine activity? Residents of the West Bank settlement of Elon Moreh decided to cancel a meeting with IDF Central Command Head Yair Naveh after complaining of police and IDF harassment following the violent evacuation of a nearby illegal outpost.
“Due to the (police and army) conduct, we’ll decide on additional measures to be adopted later,” settlement official Benny Katzover said.
Last week, police and army forces clashed with teenagers in the area during the evacuation of a new outpost. During the operation, a senior IDF officer was punched in the face. Since the incident, residents day, police officers have been harassing them on the pretense of winter safety checks for their vehicles and false arrests.
Residents say that in one case this week, police decided to remove a vehicle from the roads for 48 hours after claiming one of its tires was damaged. However, the vehicle’s owner said the car was checked by mechanics a day earlier and no damage was found.
Settlers handcuffed
In another case, a 19-year-old man was detained Wednesday by the Shin Bet near the settlement and was ordered to remain in custody for another five days. Settlers sent a harsh letter to Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz over the incident, saying the teenager was detained over mere suspicion that he damage Palestinian property. Meanwhile, eight settlers from Elon Moreh were arrested Thursday because they refused to identify themselves. The detainees said they were handcuffed before being taken to the police station.
Responding to the incidents, Katzover told Ynet: “There were never winter safety checked for vehicles before. Only following incidents with the army and police did they start to carry out arrests and checks of area residents. “
Police in the West Bank, meanwhile, said the incidents in question were part of their routine activity.
“In the framework of this activity we are engaging in traffic-related operations,” the police said.
