ISRAEL: Jewish settlers burn Palestinian flag while Palestinians clash with Israeli army in Hebron

Record ID: 560809

  • Title: ISRAEL: Jewish settlers burn Palestinian flag while Palestinians clash with Israeli army in Hebron
  • Date: 3rd November 2008
  • Summary: (EU) HEBRON, WEST BANK (NOVEMBER 02, 2008) (REUTERS) SOLDIER STANDING NEAR JEWISH ENCLAVE IN THE OLD CITY OF HEBRON ARMED SOLDIER PALESTINIAN FLAGS HUNG OVER HOUSES VARIOUS OF JEWISH SETTLERS IN HEBRON RIGHT WING ACTIVIST, BARUCH MARZEL, STANDING WITH OTHER SETTLERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) RIGHT WING ACTIVIST, BARUCH MARZEL, SAYING: "After the terrorists came in town, terrorists (referring to Palestinian security men recently deployed in the city) came in with the help of the Israeli government and they thought they will be their workers, they will do the job for the Israelis so they are also attacking the Jewish settlement. We are not going to give second cheek, we'll attack back every Palestinian police armed, we will see him as terrorist and an armed terrorist which comes next to my house, I have orders what to do with him." FEMALE JEWISH SETTLER TAKING OFF PALESTINIAN FLAG MARZEL BURNING PALESTINIAN FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (English) RIGHT WING ACTIVIST, BARUCH MARZEL, SAYING: "There is in strict orders when a terrorist comes next to my house and he is armed. I have to defend myself and I'll shoot him first." MARZEL STEPPING AND JUMPING ON PALESTINIAN FLAG MORE OF SETTLERS BURNING PALESTINIAN FLAG VARIOUS OF BURNT FLAG ON ROAD
  • Embargoed: 18th November 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVABNZ6WR12FSZ6BZ8TQ74UEQPGS
  • Story Text: Tensions in the West Bank were high on Sunday (November 2), as right wing Jewish settlers burned a Palestinian flag near the Jewish enclave in the city of Hebron.
    Reuters Television images showed, a group of Jewish settlers including the leader of the Jewish National Front party Baruch Marzel, taking down a Palestinian flag and setting it on fire.
    Israeli soldiers and policemen at the scene did not prevent the settlers' actions.
    Last week Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent hundreds of security officers into Hebron as part of a Western-backed campaign to strengthen his control over the occupied West Bank.
    Israel, which is trying to bolster Abbas against his Hamas rivals, approved the deployment of some 550 armed officers in the biggest West Bank city, a frequent flashpoint between Palestinians and Jewish settlers.

    "We'll attack back every Palestinian police armed, we will see him as terrorist and an armed terrorist which comes next to my house. I have orders what to do with him," Marzel said, referring to the deployment of policemen.

    "I have to defend myself and I'll shoot him first," he added.
    After the incident, Palestinians in Hebron walked through the old city, flying balloons in the colours of the Palestinian flag.
    Soon after the rally turned into a clash with Israeli soldiers, as Palestinian teenagers hurled stones at the soldiers the Israeli army responded with tear gas.
    No arrests and no injuries were reported.
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