Clashes erupt as IDF tries to evict Palestinian outpost

Security forces, settlers and Palestinians clash at attempted eviction of Al-Manatir outpost; two people injured, 18 arrested

Elior Levy|Last update: 02.02.13 , 18:48

Third illegal Palestinian outpost in under a month: A group of Palestinians activists erected a new outpost named Al-Manatir, near the village of Burin, south of Nablus, Saturday. IDF troops have started evacuating the area, and clashes ensued between troops, Palestinians and settlers at the scene.

As a result of the clashes, a settler sustained light injuries and a Palestinian sustained injuries the severity of which is unclear. Palestinians sources said 18 people were arrested, adding that the IDF has declared the area a closed military zone.

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Some 200 Palestinians are rioting at the newly erected outpost, which they say was constructed as part of their battle against Jewish settlements. The soldiers are using crowd-control measures to disperse the riot.

According to Wael Faqih, one of the activists at Al-Manatir, the Jewish settlements are "eating away at the land of the West Bank and the village of Burin is the clearest example of that.

Al-Manatir outpost (Photo: AFP)

"We urge the world to come and see the Palestinian's peaceful resistance and the Israeli reaction of oppression, arrests and threats," Faqih added.

Settlements and villages in the region are a constant hub for clashes between settlers and Palestinians.

Abir Copti, activist with the Popular Resistance Committees, told Ynet that some 200 Palestinians were at the scene, setting up tents and various constructions.

Copti said that settlers at the scene started hurling stones at the activists, until IDF troops arrived and dispersed the riots.

Security forces are still present and continuously reinforcing in hopes of preventing further clashes.

The two previous Palestinian outposts, Bab al-Shams in E1 and Bab al-Karama near Beit Iksa north of Jerusalem, were evacuated within a few days by the IDF.