20 rightists forcefully removed from Homesh
Right-wing activists, most of them teenagers, removed by police after arriving at former West Bank settlement without authorization
Police forcefully removed some 20 rightwing activists who arrived early Thursday to the former West Bank settlement of Homesh, which was emptied during the 2005 disengagement.
The rightists, most of them teenagers, arrived without prior coordination with security forces. The IDF and police are preparing to prevent the arrival of additional activists, expected on Sunday.
Another 40 youths managed to escape to nearby hills.
Last Monday night settler leaders cancelled a march to the former West Bank settlement, which was scheduled for last Tuesday, but vowed to arrive at the area by the annual fast day of Tisha B'Av, which will take place next Tuesday.
On Sunday, IDF forces began setting up roadblocks throughout the West Bank as part of the effort to prevent thousands of right-wing activists from journeying to Homesh.
Officials within the security establishment said that if the activists do indeed attempt to journey to Homesh, the IDF and police would file lawsuits against the organizers demanding millions in monetary reimbursement for the funds spent securing the event.
