Zero tolerance for violence Gantz says after settlers attack police

• Published date: 12 October 2021
• Author: TOVAH LAZAROFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

"This is a serious incident" that can not become routine, Gantz said as he toured Division 98. "I fully support the fighters [security forces] in the field who are carrying out their mission to maintain security and order for Jews and Palestinians alike," Gantz said.

Three police vehicles were damaged in the attack that occurred Monday when Border Police and the group of settler extremists clashed during the evacuation of the tent, which was illegally situated in a closed military zone.

As Border Police left the scene, a number of the Jewish extremists threw rocks and paint bombs at the vehicle, which shattered a window.

The Border Police officer was injured from flying glass and was treated at the scene.

Metal spikes were also placed on the road in an attempt to further harm the vehicles, the Border Police said.

Officers used riot dispersal means to quell the violence, police said.

Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev and IDF Chief-of-Staff Aviv Kohavi condemned the attack on the Border Police.

"Violence against [security forces] is a criminal act which requires a quick and vigorous extraction of justice," Kohavi said.

Bar Lev said there was no difference between "militias of Jewish hooligans attacking and wounding" Border Police officers in Yitzhar and the Arabs who assault police in Kafr Kassem.

In both cases, governance was abandoned to "criminal fringe elements," he said.

In Yitzhar, settlers "think they are allowed to challenge the governance of the State of Israel and raise a hand against those in uniform," the minister said, adding that they must be treated with "uncompromising determination."

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