Clashes in J'lem, West Bank follow Havat Gilad razing

Hundreds of rightists block intersections, clash with police in capital during protest against demolition of structures at illegal settler outpost. 'We're furious and frustrated,' organizer says, 'we'll continue demonstrating all night'

Omri Efraim, Yair Altman|Last update: 02.28.11 , 22:10

Twenty-three right-wing activists were arrested Monday evening for blocking major intersections, burning tires and clashing with security forces in Jerusalem. The activists were protesting against the demolition of structures at the illegal settler outpost Havat Gilad in the early morning hours.

"We plan to continue protesting all through the night," one of the activists said.

The protesters claim officers fired rubber and plastic bullets at rightists in Havat Gilad, but the army insists security forces only fired paint balls.

Those who were protesting in Jerusalem, most of whom are residents of the West Bank, carried signs reading, "You don’t shoot Jews".

The activists blocked Begin Road at the Kiryat Moshe junction, as well as Kanfei Nesharim Street and Herzl Boulevard. Rightists also blocked Road 465 near the Neve Tzuf settlement and clashed with security forces at the scene. The Bat Shalosh intersection at the entrance to Nablus was also blocked to traffic.

Rightists clash with police in Jerusalem (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Kiryat Arba resident Daniel Gilad, who helped organize the protest in Jerusalem, told Ynet, "We are furious and frustrated over the Havat Gilad events and don’t understand why we are the only ones shocked by the fact that security forces opened fire."

The settlers threatened to employ the so-called “price tag” tactic, in which they seek revenge by attacking Palestinians for every outpost that is demolished.

Eight rightists were arrested during the clashes at Havat Gilad, and, according to the settlers, 15 were injured.

Posters put up throughout Judea and Samaria called on the settler public to come out in force on Thursday for a 'day or rage' following what the posters termed as 'the pogroms at Havat Gilad and the ongoing destruction in the hills".

The posters called on the settlers to block intersections throughout the country, interrupt Palestinian traffic in the West Bank and enter Palestinian towns without the IDF's consent.

Palestinians from Burin claimed that settlers from Yitzhar tried to roll burning tires towards the village following the demolition at Havat Gilad.

Later on Monday, a Molotov cocktail was hurled at a home in the Palestinian village of Hawara, near Nablus. One of the rooms in the house was burned, and two people sustained mild injuries from smoke inhalation.

Army and police forces launched an investigation into the incident, which according to estimates, was part of the settlers' "price tag" activity.