Israeli settlers planning new outpost near Bethlehem

Settlers demonstrate in Junein the West Bank city of Hebron[Ma'anImages]

25 July 2007

Bethlehem – Ma'an – Israeli settlers are planning to establish a new colony near the West Bank city of Bethlehem, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported Wednesday.

Nine right-wing Israeli groups are supporting the plan to build on land near the existing Efrat settlement, south of Bethlehem. Haaretz reported that the settlers intend to occupy Eitam Hill, which is within the municipal boundaries of Efrat, but on the Palestinian side of the Israeli separation wall.

Haaretz also reported that settlers from the evacuated settlement of Nisanit, in the Gaza Strip, also plan to reestablish an outpost there. Israeli security forces are preparing to stop them.