One of force's jeeps damaged during patrol near illegal West Bank outpost of Havat Gilad; no injuries reported. 'The jeep was driving wildly. We are against violence,' outpost resident says

Efrat Weiss
Published: 11.22.09, 23:51 / Israel News

Several Border Guard officers were attacked Sunday evening by Havat Gilad (Gilad Farm) residents during a patrol near the illegal West Bank outpost. One of the forces' jeeps was damaged.


Border Guard, police and IDF forces were dispatched to the area for reinforcement. There were no reports of injuries or arrests.


Outpost resident Itai Zar provided his version of the incident: "A Border Guard jeep was driving in the farm wildly, against traffic. The farm's residents told them off, and in response the commander decided to push the residents. During the incident, one of the jeep's wheels was punctured. The farm's residents are against violence."


Zar added that on Thursday he had been beaten and injured by Border Guard officers after taking pictures of them. The same day, one of the outpost's residents was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a policeman while Civil Administration representatives attempted to dismantle an illegal electricity infrastructure in the area. The man was taken in for questioning by the police.


The Havat Gilad outpost is a regular point of friction between the settlers and Palestinians living in the area. The Palestinians complain repeatedly about being harassed by the outpost's residents, who accuse the Palestinians of setting fire to their fields.


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In recent months, the outpost residents have also clashed with the security forces several times.


About two months ago, a police officer was lightly injured in clashes with local residents after the security forces were dispatched to the area to seize a truck which had moved a caravan from its place. During the clashes, a firebomb was hurled at a Border Guard jeep. IDF sources reported that after the incident, several teenagers were seen escaping towards the outpost.