Policeman injured, 4 settlers arrested in West Bank

Clashes break out near illegal outpost after some 2,000 right-wing activists begin construction of new outposts. IDF declares area closed military zone, says arrival at outposts is criminal offense

Efrat Weiss
Published: 09.30.07, 17:25 / Israel News

A police officer was lightly injured and four right-wing activists were arrested Sunday afternoon in clashes with security forces near the Uri Kumi outpost next to the West Bank settlement of Heshmonaim.

According to the police, two of the settlers were arrested for violating an order while the other two caused damage to the community's fence and lightly injured a policeman. The settlers claimed that the police used violence against them.

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Some 2,000 settlers and rightists began constructing five illegal outposts in the West Bank on Sunday. The IDF prevented the passage of vehicles, forcing the activists to march by foot, and said, "We will evacuate the settlers according to our situation assessment."

The decision to build the outposts came in response to recent government talks of evacuating existing illegal outposts. Far-right activist Itamar Ben-Gvir said, "This is our response against those who wish to uproot thousands of Jews from their homes."

The activists convened Sunday afternoon in settlements in the West Bank, and then began to march toward the new outposts of Itam, Ma'alot Halhul, Nofei Heshmonaim, Shvut Amim and Harhivi.

The IDF prohibited the settlers from arriving in their vehicles and declared the area a closed military zone, announcing that anyone arriving in the hills would be committing a criminal offense.

The IDF announced that it would decide when to evacuate them according to situation assessments.

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