Mofaz orders decisive action in Hebron
Defense minister instructs army, police to 'act with determination' against rioters in Hebron; police to deploy another 250 officers Monday; 7 settlers arrested throughout day, senior officer says most protesters are teens
(VIDEO) Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has ordered the security services to act "with determination against violators of the law in Hebron." The defense minister called on Jewish leaders in Hebron "to act immediately to calm the mood, before its too late."
Police Chief Moshe Karadi has instructed the Judea and Samaria police to form regional headquarters in Hebron, in a bid to counter riots in town.
An additional 250 policemen from special units are set to join forces in town Monday, and assist the IDF with the task of maintaining public order.
The riots in the West Bank town entered day four Sunday, with police arresting seven settlers throughout the day on suspicions they disrupted order and threw stones and eggs at security forces.
The riots broke out Thursday after IDF planned to evacuate Hebron settlers from houses they forcefully occupied at the town's marketplace.
Chief Superintendent Avi Harush told Ynet that while the forces under his command "are determined to protect the Jewish residents in Hebron," the settlers on their part "repaid them by hurling stones, eggs and paint at them and cursing them."
"We are determined to stop these riots and the masked teens that break the law. We shall not allow the attacks on soldiers and policemen and the sabotage of Palestinian property go unpunished," Harush said.
'Most rioters are teens'
However, the settlers on their part seemed resolute to hold firm to their grasp of the market, which they call "the Shalhevet Market" after the infant Shalhevet Pas who was murdered by a Palestinian sniper in town several years ago.
"The incidents started Thursday, when groups of hundreds of teens flowed into Hebron, some by public buses, others by private vehicles," Harush told Ynet.
"The Jewish community in town summoned hundreds of youths to join it in opposing the evacuation," he added.
Two soldiers have been injured in the violent clashes since Thursday.
Police and the IDF have deployed hundreds of troops and policemen to the scene, as well as horsemen and a truck equipped with demonstration dispersion means.
Hebron settler (Photo: Reuters)
"Those leading the riots are local youths from Hebron, joined by teens from all across the country, mostly from Yeshivas and religious girls' schools," Harush explained, adding that the young protesters have in numerous occasions called soldiers and policemen who confronted them "Nazis."
Harush claimed that while the police have tried negotiating with the rioters' leadership, "they were not interested in talking, but are attempting to send non-direct messages they are trying to gain control over the situation."
Eyewitness: Settlers obstacle to peace
David Parsons, 23, a Canadian human rights activist, arrived at Hebron two months ago and has been staying in the area ever since.
According to Parsons, throughout recent days settlers have continuously attacked Palestinians and human rights activists in town.
In one incident, Parsons said 15 settlers - including five girls - threw stones at Palestinians and hit one in the head, all this while a soldier was standing nearby helpless.
The settlers, mostly teens under the age of 18, kept hurling stones and eggs from rooftops, Parsons recalled, adding he himself was beaten by settlers twice.
Parsons said that in the months he has stayed in Hebron, he realized the settlers' presence in town created a 'huge problem" for Israel. There will be no peace as long as the settlers are here, he said.
Meanwhile, several dozen right-wing activists arrived at the entrance to Jerusalem carrying signs in protest to the evacuation of a permanent structure in the illegal outpost of Amona. The youngsters attempted to block the entrance to the city.
Police had to remove the protesters by force. One demonstrator was arrested after police officials claimed he caused damage to one of the patrol vehicles.
Ali Waked contributed to the report
