Last update - 00:00 18/01/2007
Peace Now protests outside Hebron after IDF bans rally in city
By Yair Ettinger, Haaretz Correspondent
Some 250 Peace Now activists on Thursday demonstrated on a road north of the West Bank city of Hebron over alleged ongoing violence exhibited by settlers against a Palestinian family in the city.
Peace Now moved their demonstration to the outskirts of the city after Israel Defense Forces GOC Central Command Yair Naveh prohibited them from rallying within the city limits.
Meretz chairman Yossi Beilin said at the protest that "if Peace Now is prohibited from demonstrating in Hebron, while this group of insane radicals [the settlers] is allowed to demonstrate in Hebron all day, every day, I am speechless."
Beilin also said that the Hebron settlers are causing an ongoing nightmare for Palestinians and their children, adding that "we won't stop. We will do all that we can to insure that these 500 settlers don't remain in Hebron."
Yifat Alkobi, a resident of Hebron's Jewish quarter, was caught on film cursing and attacking the Abu-Aisha family in the city. The Hebron police opened an investigation into the matter last week.
30 right wing activists demonstrated opposite the Peace Now protesters. Police intervened after verbal violence erupted between the two groups.