Settlers injure two IDF soldiers near Yitzhar, Netanyahu condemns attacks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned on Sunday morning two separate attacks by Jewish extremists near the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar in which two soldiers were lightly injured.

“I want to stand by the IDF soldiers and commanders who are working around the clock to defend the security of all Israeli citizens without exception.

 “I strongly condemn any assault on IDF soldiers. There will be no tolerance for lawbreakers who raise a hand to our soldiers.” Netanyahu said.

Early Sunday morning some 30 settlers attacked soldiers near Yitzhar, throwing stones at them, slashing the tires of a jeep and lightly injuring one of them, the IDF reported.

On Friday police arrested one suspect after the commander of Golani Brigade’s Reconnaissance Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Ayoub Kayuf, was attacked by right-wing extremists near Yitzhar on Friday.

Several settlers near the entrance to Yitzhar blocked the vehicle of a jeep. According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, “one of the settlers opened the door of the vehicle, threatening those inside it.” The unit commander reportedly confronted the settlers, one of which allegedly attacked him. The IDF condemned the incident, while the settlers denied attacking the commander, saying the incident was “purely verbal” and that the alleged attacker “did not know it was a battalion commander.” The settlers condemned the IDF for arresting the suspect Friday night, during the Sabbath.

On Sunday morning Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, arrived in the settlement of Yitzhar on Sunday to meet with the soldiers who were attacked that morning, hugged them and made clear that the attack did not represent the feeling of the residents of Yitzhar.  

“All the residents of Samaria and the residents of Yitzhar condemn the injuring of our dear soldiers. The few who did so are boys who, for the most part, came from outside the village. And we will use all our tools to get them out of here. Yitzhar residents love IDF soldiers, and all Samaritan residents embrace IDF soldiers. And the security forces “

Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz also condemned the attack on the soldiers, saying that the people supported and strengthened the soldiers and that he trusted law enforcement agencies to handle the situation. “As a former chief of staff and as a commander of the IDF for decades, I send a message to all the soldiers and commanders that are guarding us on this festival – in the north, south, Judea and Samaria and everywhere around the country: The people of Israel and the citizens of Israel support and strengthen you.”

IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi condemned the attack in a statement, seeing the behavior as very severe. He called to find those involved and to bring them to justice.

The IDF spokesperson said in a statement that Kochavi additionally spoke with Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman about working together to end this phenomenon.

“There is a small handful of delinquent youth against whom we must act,” said Central Command Commander Nadan Padan. “I condemn every event in which soldiers, commanders and civilians are attacked with physical or verbal violence. The IDF and security forces in the Central Command are working in full cooperation with the Samaria Regional Council so as to avoid such actions and to ensure security for the residents in the region.”

According to Kan, the recent tension between settlers and IDF security forces in the area started last Wednesday when Golani infantry soldiers responded to a violent clash between settlers and Palestinians olive harvesters in the area of Yitzhar.

According to Rabbis for Human Rights, five of the NGO’s volunteers were attacked, allegedly by Jewish extremists, while participating in the annual harvest in the village Burin.

Rabbi Moshe Yehudai, alongside four other volunteers, was reportedly attacked by a group of Jewish extremists armed with crowbars. Yehudai was evacuated by a Red Crescent Ambulance and treated for a broken arm. A resident of Yitzhar was arrested for allegedly participating in the attack, but was released from custody. The suspect claimed that he was “attacked” by an officer during his interrogation.