Dichter: Disputed Hebron house will be evacuated
In meeting with senior police, Shin Bet and IDF officials, internal security minister says High Court's decision to evacuate disputed Hebron House will be carried out in full. IDF soldiers spent morning painting over anti-Muslim graffiti sprayed by settlers on Hebron mosque
Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter announced on Thursday that the High Court's ruling regarding the evacuation of the disputed house in Hebron will be carried out in full.
During a meeting with police Commissioner Dudi Cohen and representatives of the IDF and the Shin Bet, Dichter said that "the rule of law in Israel is not a recommendation but rather an objective that must be achieved in its entirety.
"This message must be conveyed to the police and all other security branches," he added.
Meanwhile, IDF soldiers spent the great part of the day painting over anti-Muslim graffiti sprayed by settlers on a local mosque.
Earlier Thursday, a Central Command official condemned on Wednesday night's events in Hebron, during which a soldier was injured and Palestinian graves were desecrated.
"The violence towards the police, the army and the Border Guard cannot continue anymore," the source said. "There is a limit that we are not willing to cross and this is the harming of life and property. We will respond in the ways we know with the cooperation of the police."
According to the source, "In recent hours, the leadership has made attempts to calm things down in the area."
Regarding recent riots in Hebron and the tension surrounding the disputed house in the city the source said, "Recently there have been violent events in which many youths took part. In most instances it was groups that came from without and in an organized voluntary manner and that are taking advantage of the fact that this is stormy period in Hebron."
Soldiers erase graffiti from mosque (Photo: AP)
The source also commented on the violence towards Palestinians and the damage caused to Palestinian property. "The soldiers are instructed not to stand by but to prevent the violence while they too get cursed at. We are reaching a place we haven't been in in a long time. Attempts are being made to cool things down."
The sources said that while arrests were being carried out in general, not every arrest was relevant when it came to minors. Wednesday night graffiti was sprayed near the disputed house saying "Muhammad is a pig" and youths gathered and damaged an IDF camera on the disputed house.
Addressing the emotional state of the soldiers serving in the area, the sources said, "We do not have any refusals, the soldiers in the area undergo emotional preparation, especially those serving at this time.
"It's very emotionally demanding. A combat soldier cannot use his weapons, he must act wisely and responsibility on the part of the commanders is needed."
