Bat Ayin clashes
Photo: Reuters
Forces deployed in Bat Ayin area
Following Saturday's clashes near Gush Etzion settlement, which left two Palestinians injured, defense establishment deploys police, army and Border Guard forces in sensitive spots in area for fear of additional riots
The defense establishment fears additional clashes will break out between settlers and Palestinians near the Gush Etzion settlement of Bat Ayin, and has decided to deploy police, army and Border Guard forces in sensitive spots in the area in order to provide an immediate response in the event of an escalation in the situation.
The defense establishment anticipated the possibility of clashes breaking out between the sides following last month's terror attack
in Bat Ayin, which left a youth killed and another child injured. The terrorist,
who murdered 13-year-old Shlomo Nativ with an axe, came from Umm Safa.
The decision was made Sunday following violent clashes which took place Saturday evening between Bat Ayin settlers and residents of the nearby village of Umm Safa, which led to the injury of two Palestinians from gunshots.
Accusation
Efrat Weiss
Military officials respond angrily to Bat Ayin residents' conduct, which led to violent clashes in nearby Palestinian village of Umm Safa. 'This is a serious incident. They are harming our routine defense missions,' one source says. Community's rabbi: Settlers show in the air after sensing danger
Following the attack, Israel Defense Forces representatives requested a meeting with the settlement's leaders in order to try and calm things down.
The fears were realized shortly afterwards, when Bat Ayin residents received approval from the IDF to hold the Blessing of the Sun on the eve of Passover, but were stoned by Palestinians from the nearby village of Khirbet Safa. Sixteen Palestinians were injured in the clashes which ensued.
The clashes resumed on Saturday afternoon, leaving two Palestinians injured. Four settlers involved in the incident were arrested by the IDF, including two soldiers on leave who admitted to have used their guns but said had they fired in the air after sensing that they were in danger.
Two of the detainees were released after being questioning, and the two soldiers were handed over to the military police's criminal investigation division.
An army official criticized the settlers' conduct, saying that their decision to enter the village was "an unnecessary provocation which put human life at risk."
