Three Yitzhar settlers who operate 'The Jewish Voice' website are suspected of incitement to racism; the site encourages 'price tag' attacks against Palestinians and criticizes IDF.
Another detainee is suspected of setting a field belonging to Palestinians on fire several months ago.


By Chaim Levinson
13.06.11

Some 100 police and Border Guard officers arrested four people in the settlement of Yitzhar, including one reporter in the "Jewish Voice" website, on Monday morning.

Three Yitzhar residents were arrested on suspicion of involvement in riots, among them the reporter. They are also suspected of distributing inciting materials and harassing a public servant. The fourth detainee is suspected of setting a field belonging to Palestinians on fire several months ago.

They were charged with incitement to racism and violating the Shin Bet Security Service laws for a website that calls for "price tag" attacks on Palestinians.


The three, students of extremist Rabbi Yitzhak Ginzburg, operate "The Jewish Voice" website, which reports news on settlements and outposts, criticizes the IDF, shows sympathy for "price tag" attacks and publishes articles by Rabbi Ginzburg. The site also reports on Shin Bet attempts to recruit agents.

The police searched the suspects' homes early Monday morning and confiscated computers. They also arrested a minor suspected of setting fire to a Palestinian field.

The "Jewish Voice" website responded by saying the arrest is a violation of its right to freedom of speech. "These actions remind us of dark regimes," it said in a statement.

Settlers claimed that the forces raided the offices of the "Jewish voice" website affiliated with the Right. They claim computers belonging to the site's administrators were confiscated.

"This is a bizarre action by the police and the Shin Bet," a website worker said. "The Jewish Voice website has been openly operating for many months and if there was an offence, indictments can be filed."

They noted that the warrant which the forces presented read "Violation of Shin Bet law" and that many Shin Bet men were among the forces. "This is an intimidation attempt using Shin Bet means when they have no proof of any violations," it was claimed.

On Sunday, the website reported that commander of the Judea and Samaria Division Brigadier-General Nitzan Alon ordered commanders to identify soldiers who may alert settlers ahead of possible evacuations. The IDF said that the orders were meant to serve as a tool for commanders in handling complex situations.


In 2003, Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein decided to indict rabbi Ginzburg for incitement to racism. Ginzburg published a book called Tipul Shoresh ("Root Treatment") which compared Arabs to a cancer.






http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/police-arrest-operators-of-extreme-right-website-over-calls-for-violence-1.367412

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4081263,00.html