IDF officer: Settlers gave Nazi salute
Second lieutenant wounded by settlers in Hebron tells Ynet about unpleasant experience; we tried to talk to them but they ran towards Arabs and started beating them up, he says. 'Youths told us they don't speak German'. Meanwhile, Hebron riots resume, police to boost presence
"This is sad more than it's scary," said Second Lieutenant Ariel Nussbacher, who sustained eye injures after settlers hurled stones at troops.
Meanwhile, settlers resumed their riots in Hebron Sunday. Police officials declared the incident an "illegal gathering."
Police Chief Moshe Karadi decided Sunday afternoon to boost the police presence in Hebron in the face of the ongoing violence. Various means are now expected to be transferred to the area in order to enable security forces to effectively deal with the riots.
According to the army, "about 300 settlers, some masked, participated in violent disruptions of order. They hurled stones, eggs, and paint at soldiers."
The settlers, meanwhile, charged troops used rifles to beat up two children, one of whom required medical attention. Settlers also claimed Hebron Brigade Commander Moti Baruch cocked his weapon and aimed it at them.
The army responded: "In the course of the events, the officer was protecting his soldiers."
'We don't speak German'
The 21-year-old Nussbacher spoke to Ynet about Saturday's events.
"Throughout the Shabbat we were dealing with protecting the settlers, among other things when they went to pray," he said. "It was relatively quiet until about 2 p.m., at which point they told us settlers were disrupting the order."
Settlers walked in the direction of Hebron's Old City, claiming they make the trip every Saturday, but stoned Palestinians on the way, Nussbacher said.
"At first they were 40, but then about 300, most of them teenagers. At first we attempted to maintain restraint, we tried to talk to them, but they run towards Arabs in every alley and started beating them up," the IDF officer said.
"We attempted to speak to the girls…but they told us 'we don't speak German. You came to protect us and you're protecting the Arabs. We'll never join the Israel Expulsion Forces," Nussbacher said. "Some gave us the Heil Hitler salute."
The officer said he noticed three teenagers beating up an Arab resident and attempted to separate the sides.
"I ran to separate them, pushed the settlers aside, treated the Arab and calmed him down. When I turned to join the force a big stone hit my left eye.”
Nussbacher was taken for initial treatment at a clinic in Kiriyat Arba. At the Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva he was diagnosed with a fracture to the bone below the left eye. However, he says he will not hesitate to return to Hebron.
"If they call me, I'll go back. There's no fear. That's my job," he said.
