Israeli settlers raise ire in West Bank
- 12 years ago
The West Bank city of Hebron.
Tension's mounting here over Israeli settlers who moved into this building last week.
About 20 settlers say they bought it from its Palestinian owner, but Palestinian police dispute their claim.
The Israeli defence minister ordered them out by Tuesday afternoon, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu overruled the decision.
A Palestinian official says the situation could cause problems for other settlers.
SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IMAD HAMMAD, HEAD OF THE COMMITTEE TO REBUILD HEBRON SAYING:
"We were viewing the decision by the defence minister to evict the settlers with all seriousness. But, unfortunately, there was the decision or the interference by Prime Minster Benyamin Netanyahu to delay this eviction."
Israeli Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz visited the apartment, saying he supports the settlers and the right of Jews to live in Hebron.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) YISRAEL KATZ, ISRAELI TRANSPORTATION MINISTER, SAYING:
"I will do everything and will speak to the prime minister again so that the Jews that bought this home will be able to stay here."
Growing Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which was captured by Israel in 1967, are considered illegal by most world powers.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
Tension's mounting here over Israeli settlers who moved into this building last week.
About 20 settlers say they bought it from its Palestinian owner, but Palestinian police dispute their claim.
The Israeli defence minister ordered them out by Tuesday afternoon, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu overruled the decision.
A Palestinian official says the situation could cause problems for other settlers.
SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IMAD HAMMAD, HEAD OF THE COMMITTEE TO REBUILD HEBRON SAYING:
"We were viewing the decision by the defence minister to evict the settlers with all seriousness. But, unfortunately, there was the decision or the interference by Prime Minster Benyamin Netanyahu to delay this eviction."
Israeli Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz visited the apartment, saying he supports the settlers and the right of Jews to live in Hebron.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) YISRAEL KATZ, ISRAELI TRANSPORTATION MINISTER, SAYING:
"I will do everything and will speak to the prime minister again so that the Jews that bought this home will be able to stay here."
Growing Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which was captured by Israel in 1967, are considered illegal by most world powers.
Lindsey Parietti, Reuters