Heads of the Yesha Council told Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra during a meeting at his office Monday that settlers are willing to testify to what happened during the evacution of the Amona outpost,
including testimonies of sexual abuse of female settlers by policemen, videos and photos.
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| Olmert: No investigation committee / Ronny Sofer |
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In cabinet meeting, Acting PM dismisses possibility of an inquiry committee into Amona incidents, says fully endorses security forces' conduct in outpost's evacuation. Public campaign against police, army infected with political agendas, he says |
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In one of the cases, a girl said that a cop shouted at her, "whore, open your legs," and grabbed her by the feet in an attempt to remove her from where she was sitting. Another testimony tells of a police officer who urinated on the ground in front of women protesters, and when a female police officer asked him to stop he told her to "shut up."
One girl said that a policeman shoved her to a corner and started touching her private parts.
Notably, these allegations have yet to be investigated or verified.
Settler heads in meeting with Minister Ezra (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Over the last few days the young teen girls who participated in the clashes held many talks with psychologists, rabbis and education personnel about their experiences, and spoke of these incidences.
The settler public is outraged over what they believe took place, and the subject is echoed in many conversations, sources told Ynet.
Ezra objects to inquiry committee
Minister Ezra told the settler leaders that the Police Investigation Unit already started examining complaints on individual policemen as a result of their conduct in the evacuation, and added that Police Chief Moshe Karadi ordered a routine internal inquiry following the operation. Ezra said he expects conclusions within 10 days.
The Yesha council heads described the meeting as "difficult" and said voices were raised during the conversation more than once. The leaders met with Ezra in a bid to persuade him to launch an inquiry into the Amona incidents, but Ezra was firm in his refusal to initiate such an investigation.
"This refusal stems from the political establishment's desire to conceal things. They have a lot to hide and they are afraid of a national investigation committee," a Yesha source said.
"We told Minister Ezra that if God forbid blood is spilled in the next confrontation, we will hold those who refused to investigate the recent affairs fully responsible," the source added.
In the meeting, settlers representatives said, Ezra stressed he objects to an inquiry committee and stated the police should not be a punching bag for the public.
"The policemen were sent on a very difficult mission. The police belong to all Israelis, and we must not hurt them. I support dialogue, and will be willing to bring any suggestion you make to the government and the acting PM for approval," he told the settlers.
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