B'Tselem report: Hebron settlers out of control

19 October 2007

Bethlehem - Ma'an - Attacks by Israeli settlers and Israeli security forces on Palestinian residents in Hebron have increased exponentially, according to a new report published by the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem.

The report said settler attacks often take place in full view of Israeli forces who do nothing to prevent them.

Many of the attacks take place around a new Israeli settlement that was established in the Palestinian neighborhood of Ar-Ras in March. According to B'Tselem, the colony has grown despite an order by the Israeli defense minister to evacuate the new outpost.

The new settlement is connected to the electricity grid and construction has continued at the site.

Since the establishment of the settlement, attacks on Palestinians have risen sharply. B'Tselem document numerous incidences of physical violence and verbal abuse perpetrated by both settlers and Israeli security forces.

These attacks included beatings, property damage, and the throwing of stones, eggs, and even bottles of urine.