Riot at 'Gilad Farm' (Archives)
Photo: Reuters
Settlers suspected of trying to run over police officers
West Bank Jews suspected of stoning Palestinian vehicle, trying to attack police in response to razing of illegal structures at 'Maoz Esther' outpost; Binyamin Settlers’ Committee: Demolition Barak's gift to the Left
Six Jewish settlers were detained Thursday on suspicion of throwing stones at a Palestinian vehicle travelling near the "Gilad Farm" outpost in the West Bank and trying to run over police officers in response to the demolition of five illegal structures at the "Maoz Esther" outpost.
The structures were razed at around noon by Civil Administration officials. According to police, one of the officers who accompanied the officials was assaulted by a female settler, who was apprehended and taken in for questioning.
Four settlers were later detained for allegedly throwing stones at a Palestinian vehicle near the "Gilad Farm" outpost in response to the demolition of the structures. During the arrest the settlers attempted to run some of the officers over. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The settlers, for their part, said police used tear gas despite the fact that the suspects did not resist arrest.
The Binyamin Settlers’ Committee issued a statement saying the demolition of the structures "must be the 'entry gift' that the old-new Defense Minister Ehud Barak is giving the Left, in order to justify his joining the Likud government. Anytime he is attacked by the Left, Barak offers them compensation in the form of settler evictions."
Rabbi Dov Wolpe and Baruch Marzel, heads of the SOS Israel organization, said in a statement that "Barak and (Prime Minister-designate Benjamin) Netanyahu struck a secret deal according to which Barak would continue to destroy outposts and expel Jews. We call on Shas and the Jewish Home parties to vote against the government."
