Far right activists clashed with soldiers
Photo: AP
Right-winger at Gush Katif hotel
Photo: Tsafrir Abayov
‘Get them out of here’
Far right activists gathered at a Gush Katif hotel who clashed with soldiers do not represent Gaza settlers, tarnish their image, local residents say. Locals slam security authorities for failing to act sooner
GUSH KATIF - Far right activists staying at a Gush Katif hotel in preparation for the upcoming pullout give local settlers a bad name and should be removed from the area, local residents say.
“The right-wing activists barricaded at the hotel, who are clashing with soldiers and taking over houses, do not represent us,” one settler said. “We don’t want their mess here. Last week we met with the IDF’s Southern Command Chief and told him, ‘Get them out of here.’”
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The remarks follow the recent escalation in the area, which culminated in violent clashes between far right activists and security forces tasked with demolishing several abandoned structures at a Gaza settlement.
‘Radicals are only causing us damage’
The images broadcast by the media of activists confronting the soldiers, swearing at them, and humiliating them, aroused great anger among Gush Katif residents.
The settlers are concerned that the violent activity seen on television is tarnishing their image after many years of empathy from the public and security establishment cooperation.
On Monday, many residents decided to speak out about their feelings, but declined to be identified by name for fear of retaliation.
“If we’re exposed, they’ll burn our houses,” one said.
“The radicals are only causing us damage, our youngsters are not like this,” a resident of the settlement of Gadid said.
Residents in Bedolah, meanwhile, said they would not use violence against soldiers or police officers.
“Out of all the fanatics, a few may be residents of Gush Katif, but they are a tiny minority,” one resident said.
‘Why did they wait?’
Residents in Rafiah Yam said they are upset the problem was not addressed sooner.
“Why did they even let it get to such dimensions; they could have finished with it a long time ago, when there were only a few (far right activists) here,” one resident said. “Why did they wait? It’s better to close the (Gaza) Strip now, otherwise a lot of blood will be spilled here.”
Meanwhile, high school students who study in a preparatory IDF program in Atzmona threatened to join soldiers and police officers should the violence against them persist.
Gush Katif leaders also had harsh words for the activists and said most local residents oppose their activity.
“The entire time we thought the army and police would take care of them,” a senior Gaza official said. “We’re still waiting for that to happen.”
The far right activists, however, say they have not sensed any hostility from Gush Katif residents.
“The opposite is true,” one activist said. “Everywhere we turn we are met with great sympathy.”
