Police commissioner: Settler violence crosses line
'Severe increase in violence towards security forces, civil servants goes beyond bounds of legitimate protest,' Dudi Cohen says. Six Talmon settlers arrested for assaulting inspectors enforcing freeze
Israel Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen said Thursday that settler violence in protest against the West Bank settlement building freeze is "crossing the line."
"The severe increase in violence and resistance towards police and civil servants goes beyond the bounds of legitimate protest and freedom of expression," said Cohen at the police's weekly briefing.
"The threats made towards law enforcement officials cross the line. Violence and damage of property will be treated with determination in order to prevent an escalation in public order."
Shai District Police arrested six settlers Thursday for suspicion of assaulting Civil Administration inspectors who were handing out construction freeze orders in the Talmon settlement. The four are also suspected of puncturing the tire of a police squad car.
Addressing the torching of a mosque in the West Bank village of Yasuf last week, Cohen said the investigation is making use of "the necessary intelligence-related means to track down the perpetrators."
The police chief called for cooler heads to prevail, and urged Palestinian and settler leaders to work towards preventing further acts of violence.
Ronen Medzini contributed to the report
