Illustration
Photo: Ali Waked
Palestinian farmers stoned near Kedumim
Settlers disrupt olive harvest, injure Palestinian farmer in head near West Bank village, Palestinian sources report. Rabbis for Human Rights file official complaint with police
A Palestinian farmer from the West Bank village of Thill suffered a head injury Tuesday, after he was attacked by settlers near the settlement of Kedumim. He was taken in for treatment at a Nablus hospital by the Red Crescent.
According to Palestinian reports, six of illegal settlement Havan Gilad's settlers camped out on a hill near the village of Thill and stoned several Palestinian farmers who were picking olives in the local orchards. According to eyewitness accounts, the settlers were hurling rocks, waving weapons and cursing at the farmers.
Rabbis for Human Rights filed an official complaint with the Judea and Samaria police, which initiated a search for the suspects.
Zecharia Seada, Rabbis for Human Rights' security officer told Ynet that the incident was evidence of the settlers' intention to disrupt the olive harvest. "It took the police 30 minutes to get there and the perpetrators had time to flee… they have to take harsh action against anyone interrupting the harvest."
Earlier Tuesday, head of the Central Command, Major-General Gadi Shamni issued restraining orders against to West Bank settlers from the Tapuach and Yitzhar settlements, banning them from the area for three months.
The warrants were issued after the Central Command learned of the settlers' intention to disrupt the olive harvest.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this report
