Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to keep Jewish settlements on the West Bank, but Israeli police began evacuating settlers from one area on the West Bank that has been scheduled for destruction. The move was met with resistance and protests that resulted in several injured police and arrested protesters.
Israeli forces began an operation to evacuate settlers from a West Bank outpost on Wednesday whose slated destruction could rupture Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s narrow coalition, dominated by ultranationalists who support settlements.
Unarmed police in blue sweatshirts and black baseball caps made their way up the hill around midday Wednesday. On the hilltop, youngsters erected makeshift barricades from smashed tiles, rusty metal bars and large rocks to slow their advance. Some protesters threw rocks at security forces, while others set fire to tires and trash piles.
Minor scuffles broke out between some activists and police as protesters tried to block officers from progressing.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said forces were operating “carefully and slowly.” He said 10 officers were lightly hurt and several protesters were arrested.
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