Israeli leftist Movement receives certificate of merit from Defense Minister Barak which acknowledges its support of employees serving as reservists.

Peace Now Secretary-General Oppenheimer said in response: "Each year I get to visit the territories as a combat reserve soldier despite the difficulty in following disputable orders such as guarding settlements or outposts, working in checkpoints and conducting tours in the West Bank.
"I believe than in a democratic country, the government makes the decision and as I am willing to guard settlements with my body I expect soldiers by my side to help in future evacuations. The Right is trying to incite against the Left and take ownership of patriotism and loyalty to the State. A loyal citizen is a person who is willing to fight for the state's future and work towards changing reality."



Dozens of settlers surround IDF patrol in West Bank and assault soldiers -
IDF patrol vehicle near Shilo trapped by roadblocks; settlers and soldiers clash in what a senior officer calls 'crossing a red line.'


Published: 10.06.11

The Peace Now movement has recently received a certificate of merit from Defense Minister Ehud Barak for its support of reserve soldiers. The certificate was personally signed by Barak and Chief Reserve Officer Brigadier General Shuki Ben-Anat. "For your activity and care for employees serving in reserve duty. Your activity is commendable and greatly contributes to the IDF's fortitude and the State of Israel's security."

The certificate was issued as part of a competition which honors organizations, businesses and companies whose workers serve as reservists and are supported in this by their workplace. Peace Now Secretary-General Oppenheimer said in response: "Each year I get to visit the territories as a combat reserve soldier despite the difficulty in following disputable orders such as guarding settlements or outposts, working in checkpoints and conducting tours in the West Bank.

"I believe than in a democratic country, the government makes the decision and as I am willing to guard settlements with my body I expect soldiers by my side to help in future evacuations. He added: "The Right is trying to incite against the Left and take ownership of patriotism and loyalty to the State. A loyal citizen is a person who is willing to fight for the state's future and work towards changing reality. I am glad about receiving the certificate but as far as Peace Now is concerned reserve duty is obvious and not anything out of the ordinary."




Dozens of settlers surround IDF patrol in West Bank and assault soldiers -

Dozens of Jewish settlers surrounded an IDF patrol vehicle on Wednesday evening near the Shilo settlement, setting up roadblocks and physically assaulting IDF soldiers.The incident began after rumors circulated that the Gal Yosef illegal outpost is about to be evacuated. At approximately 9 P.M. the settlers erected roadblocks and blocked the entrance to the outpost with their cars.
An IDF patrol vehicle that arrived on the scene was blocked by settlers. The soldiers tried to turn back, but were stopped by more roadblocks.The vehicle was then surrounded by a few dozen youth from nearby settlements. When the soldiers asked them to let the vehicle pass, one of the soldiers was punched in the face, prompting a violent clash between the two sides. Soldiers who were called to the scene were able to detain one of the attackers, but he managed to escape.

A senior IDF commander said that "the army sees this incident as crossing a red line, and the settlers who were involved in violence against the soldiers will be arrested soon by the police."Officers serving in the West Bank have reported recently that tensions between security forces and settlers are on the rise. According to one senior office, "the security forces spend more time dealing with incidents involving Israeli citizens than confronting Palestinian terrorism."

The Gush Shilo area has recently become one of the main friction points between Israeli security forces and settlers. Over the past few weeks, settlers have been attacking Palestinian farmers' property in the nearby village of Qusra, almost on a daily basis. On Thursday morning, villagers discovered some 200 olive and fig trees were uprooted or damaged throughout the night.

According to a recent Shin Bet security service report, right-wing extremists no longer appear to need a "trigger" to take action, while the targets of the violence are also widening - military vehicles at an IDF base near Ramallah have been vandalized, and threatening graffiti was sprayed onto the apartment door of a left-wing activist. Attacks on Arabs and their property are carried out when the opportunity arises, the Shin Bet officials add.The Shin Bet also warned that the delegitimization campaign that extreme right-wing activists are conducting against civil servants could end in serious violence.


Photo (right)- Peace Now Secretary-General Oppenheimer


http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4132423,00.html


http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/dozens-of-settlers-surround-idf-patrol-in-west-bank-and-assault-soldiers-1.388594