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Photo: Reuters
Settler near Havat Gilad (archive)
Photo: Reuters

Palestinians say attacked by settlers

Residents of West Bank village accuse settlers of ambushing them while they were trying to tend their fields, settlers say Palestinians were trespassing on their land

Palestinians from the West Bank village of Jit, located near the settlement of Kedumim, claim that settlers from the outpost of Havat Gilad attacked them on Friday. The settlers reject the accusation however, saying that the Palestinians had infiltrated an agricultural field and were trying to damage it.

An IDF force alerted to the scene separated the groups, the Palestinians said.

 

According to the Palestinians, the settlers gathered as a group of Palestinian farmers were working in their fields, and attacked them after IDF soldiers had arrived at the scene.

 

Muhammed Abu Ba'aher, 18, told Ynet that the settlers beat him and vandalized his tractor. "They slashed the tires, broke the headlights and cursed," he said.

 

Police investigators arrived after the incident had ended. They photographed the damaged tractor and took the brother of the Palestinian who was attacked to the station to file a complaint. He was later returned to his village by the investigators.

 

The settlers reject the story however. According to their version, a group of Palestinians entered agricultural land belonging to Havat Gilad on two tractors. A confrontation erupted, and the settlers called the army to separate the sides.

 

The settlers said that the Palestinians hurled rocks towards them and towards the IDF troops.

 

Police have opened an inquiry into the events, however no arrests have been made as of yet.

 

Shomron Regional Council Chairman, Gershon Mesika, said in response: "Over the past months there is a growing phenomenon of extreme-leftists organizations sending Arabs to create provocations in Havat Gilad. I call on the IDF and the police to stop this dangerous phenomenon.

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.01.09, 20:06
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