The tension that has prevailed in Judea and Samaria in recent days has not yet abated, and the region fears a renewed flare-up in the coming days, both from Palestinians and Israelis who want to harm each other.
Fears of reprisals intensified after about 100 settlers infiltrated the village of Urif on Wednesday night, stole Korans from inside a local mosque and then tore them up and distributed the footage. The incident was in addition to the burning of dozens of cars and houses in the Palestinian villages of Luban ash Sharqiya, Turmus Ayya and Urif in the Binyamin and Samaria regions.
Documentation: The riots of the settlers at the mosque in Urif | Yesh Din
Yesh Din appealed to the Attorney General and the State Prosecutor demanding that a criminal investigation be opened following the severe violence perpetrated by young Israelis.
"Some of the incidents took place under the noses of soldiers and security forces," wrote attorney Shlomi Zakaria, "the residents of the villages are constantly in danger to their lives, property, and personal safety."
Yesh Din lawyers on the right Adv. Michael Sfard on the left Adv. Shlomi Zakaria, photo: Dudi Vaknin
"In light of the series of omissions and lax modus operandi of the security forces and law enforcement authorities, there is no other way apart from the understanding that the State of Israel," he added. "You, as representatives of the authorities, have given up, cannot and cannot afford protection to life, bodily integrity and individual property vis-à-vis the population of the occupied territory."
Another victory over terrorism
Minister of Construction and Housing Yitzhak Goldknopf toured the community of Evyatar, where hundreds of settlers live.
"With God's help, there will be an artist settlement here," Goldknopf told those present. "I am not your partner, but one of you. 10,000 thousand residents will be here, and there won't be a single child who won't dance and be happy with you with all the beautiful things. There will be a community here and there will be no force to drive us out of here."
Yesterday morning, settlers established a new neighborhood between Ma'ale Levona and Ali - a short distance from the site of the attack. The area has been nicknamed "The Moor", and in its construction, the settlers are interested in creating contiguity between Ma'ale Levona and Givat Harel and the settlement of Ali. Within a few hours, the ground was cleared, a dirt road was paved and caravans were placed there.
Minister of Construction and Housing Yitzhak Goldknopf, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
At the gas station where four Israelis were murdered this week, they tried to return to normal. The Hummus Eliyahu restaurant has reopened, and many public figures and diners made pilgrimages yesterday.
The restaurant's owner, Aviad Gizber, explained: "We chose to reopen the branch because the time has come for the State of Israel to invest in businesses in the settlements, not only after severe terror attacks. We will continue to act and develop Binyamin's economy even more vigorously."
"The victory over terrorism takes place through the development of the local economy, and Hummus Eliyahu restaurant is groundbreaking for us," added Ariel Almalich, chairman of Ali.
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