_a.jpg "Photo: Gil Yohanan")
Minister praises police operation in Amona
Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra gives full backing to police following evacuation of illegal West Bank outpost; says 'injury of many people was unfortunate, but was caused by violence used against police officers'
"The police did their job in Amona according to the law, and the police officers should be praised for accomplishing their mission as they were instructed by the Israeli government," Ezra told Ynet.
A day after more than 200 people were injured in the evacuation, the minister fully backed the police chief, the commanders and police officers who were involved in severe clashes with the settlers.
"The police do not view the evacuation operation as a failure, on the contrary. The injury of so many people is very unfortunate, but was caused by the violence used against the police. Dozens of police officers were assaulted. Suddenly, assaulting police officers has become normal and trivial behavior," Ezra said.
However, he added, a distinction must be made between the Amona incidents and the disengagement in Gush Katif.
"One must remember that there were less people in one area there. Apart from that, in Amona the protestors arrived in advance in a bid to hurt the police and evacuating forces. The police were doing their job, while the settlers tried to bother them, breach the law, violate government instructions and violate a High Court order," he charged.
However, the minister did not rule out a probe into the events and the behavior of police commanders and officers.
"I say unequivocally that the Israel Police is investigating and interrogating the Amona incidents. The investigations are being carried out at a number of police departments and branches," he said.
"All the findings will be transferred to the police chief and the investigation will be exhausted. If someone has any complaints, he is welcomed to turn to the police investigation department at the Justice Ministry," he added.
Ezra also said that "I sincerely hope that such incidents will not repeat themselves, and I certainly regret the great number of people injured. We shall learn our lessons. But I have absolutely no doubt that were it not for the violent resistance and the protestors' plan to hurt the police, the event would have ended differently."
"I hope that we will not be required to use such force in the future. However, we are responsible for enforcing the law and implementing the government's orders, and the police will do so also in the future," he added.
"One must remember that we are witnessing a process of escalation since the incidents we went through in Hebron about two weeks ago, the incidents in (the West bank settlement of) Yitzhar and the olive tree uprooting. The settlers must self-criticize themselves," Ezra charged.
"I can only wish the injured people a speedy recovery and pray that such incidents do not repeat themselves," the minister concluded.
Left calls for investigation committee
Earlier, calls were made from all across the political spectrum to launch an investigation into the Amona incidents.
Human rights organization B’Tselem turned to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz with a request to launch an investigation into accusations that police used undue violence against protesters.
The organization demanded the Police Investigation Unit probe claims that evacuation forces disobeyed orders and violently confronted peaceful protesters.
Labor MK Yuli Tamir also added her voice to the calls to investigate the violent clashes during the Amona evacuation and said that the committee should investigate the circumstances that led to the injury of over 200 settlers and security forces.
Tamir said that “Yesterday’s events and their difficult consequences prove Ehud Olmert’s incapability and helplessness in filling the prime minister’s post. It is inconceivable that in the evacuation of Gush Katif no one got injured and the evacuation of an outpost of nine structures leaves hundreds injured.”
In response to the Left's call to form an investigation committee, Binyamin Regional Council Head Pinchas Wallerstein said that "the feeling is great. It is a feeling that they are driven by matter-of-fact considerations. It is a better feeling than if somebody from the Right would have called for a probe."
"There is no doubt that the police were instructed to break our bones. All the people who were inside the houses were beaten when all they did was sit on the floor together. (The police) arrived in advance with clubs, again in order to break bones," he charged.
President Moshe Katsav also referred to the issue Thursday, saying that "I'm still under the difficult impression left by the images of the evacuation in Amona."
"Yesterday, red lines were crossed. Settler leaders must not remain silent for fear that they would be harmed," he said.
Katsav condemned the violence used against security forces and said that it was unnecessary, but added that "the Israel Police also needs to provide an explanation for the use of horses and clubs."
Efrat Weiss contributed to the report
