Since the evacuations of Amona and the nine homes in Ofra, police have stepped up activities in the area out of fear that young, far-right activists will attempt to carry out revenge attacks—also called 'Price Tag' attacks—against Arabs in the area.
Detectives, often working with Shin Bet officials, regularly arrive and question suspicious young people from settlements in the area.
During one such occasion, police discovered inciting graffiti including an image of a swastika combined with a Star of David. Police also found graffiti calling for death to Arabs, police, the Israeli left and "Zionazis."
Police also found threatening graffiti depicting a hanged effigy of a detective from the National Crimes Unit and the nickname given to the officer by area youth.
In response, police have opened an investigation and issued a statement, saying, "Police will act firmly and harshly against any violence directed at police and security forces responsible for law enforcement."
Givat HaBaladim is considered one of the more extreme strongholds of the so-called "Hilltop Youth." Dozens of young people from the area have been evacuated and/or arrested on suspicion of conducting "Price Tag" attacks.
(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)