Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., September 17, 2008 Elul 17, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:08 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Rights group: Probe IDF failure to protect Palestinians from settler violence By Yuval Azoulay and Shahar Ilan Tags: Yesh Din, Israel  The Israel Defense Forces must investigate its soldiers' failure to prevent a group of settlers from attacking and wounding eight Palestinians on Saturday, a human rights group demanded Monday. In a letter to Military Advocate General Avichai Mendelblit, Yesh Din - Volunteers for Human Rights requested a Military Police investigation into the incident, which took place outside the West Bank village of Asira al-Kabiliya. "So far, no one has been arrested in connection with the incident, which sends lawbreakers a message that Palestinian lives are not worthy of protection," attorney Michael Sfard wrote on behalf of the group. He added that Yesh Din had video footage showing that soldiers refrained from stopping the settlers. Advertisement Shortly after the incident, a senior IDF officer claimed the troops had acted in accordance with regulations by barring the settlers from entering Asira al-Kabiliya. The Knesset's Internal Affairs and Environment Committee also discussed the incident yesterday, along with clashes between right- and left-wing activists in Hebron. Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai told the committee that settler attacks on soldiers demonstrate "complete disregard for the law." "There has been a dramatic rise in the number of offenses against Palestinians and IDF soldiers in the West Bank," he said. "How many people are behind bars for attacking IDF soldiers? I have a feeling I know the answer." A senior police officer presented data showing that there have been 407 violent incidents by settlers since the beginning of the year, compared with only 366 in all of 2007. Related articles: Police fail to bring indictments in settler attacks on Palestinians Human rights group: Israel's trials of Palestinians are unfair State admits outpost built on private Arab land Bookmark to del.icio.us   Saddam in Tel Aviv Israel's Igal Naor 'never wanted to play Hamlet, only Saddam.' The preacher Archbishop Tutu to UN: Israel may have committed war crime.   1.   who protects settlers from palestian violence 05:00  |  zionist forever 16/09/08   2.   if they call MAFIA "underworld" what should they call the Olmert 05:38  |  angry jew 16/09/08   3.   No need for a probe to understand what`s going on here. 06:28  |  Johnboy 16/09/08   4.   yesh din`s EXAGGERATIONS and OMISSIONS 06:52  |  CK Tan 16/09/08   5.   The facts. 07:31  |  Jean Van Daem 16/09/08   6.   IOF = SETTLERS!! 07:34  |  Niva dos Santos 16/09/08   7.   catch the stabber first!!! 07:52  |  fed up 16/09/08   8.   IDF disgrace 08:37  |  Charlie 16/09/08   9.   pal hypocracy 09:07  |  Adrian de KLerk 16/09/08   10.   Yet another phony "human rights" group 09:57  |  Joe Sittizen 16/09/08   11.   Sadly, the police themselves are scared by sett;er violence 11:11  |  Esther 16/09/08   12.   We must never be afraid to defend our lives or the lives of our 11:23  |  Joseph.E 16/09/08   13.   The Example of the 9 year old jewish boy and the Israelis Residen 11:33  |  Joseph.E 16/09/08   14.   Leftie Esther,your ilk ganged up on Sderot,leaving it defenceless 13:19  |  Absolute Sweden 16/09/08   15.   Not only in the IDF but proSettler fanatics throughout government 13:39  |  Ivar 16/09/08   16.   probe into rights group 14:02  |  chuck 16/09/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: What is truly frightening about Sarah Palin Responses: 192 Olmert warns of binational state if no peace deal reached Responses: 224 Kissinger, Albright, Powell back talks with Iran Responses: 63 Settlement rabbi: The state stole Israel from the Jews Responses: 125 11 killed as Hamas forces battle armed clan in Gaza Responses: 47 More Headlines 02:07 Some 40,000 Kadima members expected to vote Wednesday 22:36 IAEA shows photos alleging Iran nuclear missile works 01:09 U.S. Jews outraged over phone campaign alleging 'Obama gave money to PLO' 00:10 CIA chief says strike on Syria was collaboration with 'foreign partner' 01:17 Italy's Berlusconi: Ahmadinejad acting like 'lunatic' on Israel 01:36 Lehman employees in Israel office 'were like princes' 23:40 Olmert, Abbas discuss peace terms at Jerusalem meeting 20:56 Only military action can stop Iran, experts tell European Jews 01:42 Pro-al Qaida gunman among 11 dead in Gaza Strip infighting 21:17 Boy, 15, dies from heart attack while in gym class at school 01:00 TA stocks slip in Wall Street's shadow, Hapoalim plunges 6.8% 22:22 Political turmoil prompts Peres to step in for Olmert in UN assembly 15:01 Official: Hamas held secret leadership election 20:36 Iran puts hardline Revolutionary Guards in charge of defending Gulf 17:53 What is truly frightening about Sarah Palin Previous Editions Select Day 16 sep 15 sep 14 sep 12 sep 11 sep 10 sep 09 sep 08 sep 07 sep 05 sep 04 sep 03 sep

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