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Last update - 20:30 07/10/2008
Settlers to Barak: Don't give PA security control of Hebron
By Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Palestinian Authority, Hebron 

Settler leaders on Tuesday urged Defense Minister Ehud Barak not to transfer the security control of the West Bank town of Hebron to the Palestinian Authority.

The leaders, from Hebron and the nearby settlements of Kiryat Arba and Gush Etzion, made this plea in a letter they sent in the wake of recent reports about the potential transfer of security control over the town.

In the letter, rabbis expressed shock and outrage about the proposal, which they say would transfer control to what they call "the Fatah and Tanzim terrorists known as the Palestinian Authority." They added, "Similar steps in the past have always lead to terrible bloodshed."
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The letter detailed a number of terror attacks in which Jews were murdered by Palestinians in the area, including the killing of 10-month-old Shalhevet Pas and 12 Israel Defense Forces Soldiers. The settler leaders claim their deaths were caused by a previous attempt to transfer security control to the Palestinian Authority in 2002.

"A wave of terror washed over all of Israel, and terrorists from Hebron reached Haifa," the letter read. "All of this was a result of IDF forces withdrawing from the city and its transfer to the Palestinian Authority."

It went on to say that, "The transfer of security in Hebron to the terrorists of the PA will endanger the lives of thousands or residents in our area, and the lives of all citizens of Israel. All participants in this step are wanton and irresponsible and will not be able to say 'our hands did not spill this blood.'"

Tension often runs high in Hebron, home to some 180,000 Palestinians and around 650 settlers.

The city is holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians as it holds the Tomb of the Patriarchs, believed to be the burial place of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah.



Related articles:
  • Settlers clash with rabbis guarding Palestinian olive harvest near Hebron
  • Palestinians attack settlers visiting the Tomb of the Patriarchs
  • British consulate: Settlers attack U.K. diplomats on Hebron tour
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    Asleep at the wheel
    Sharon told 1973 probe that IDF top brass was clueless in Yom Kippur War.
    Laughing at Hitler
    Clips parodying film The Downfall make their way onto the Web.
      1.   No surprise there... 21:44  |  Silvienne 07/10/08
      2.   Is there any idiot out there ... 21:56  |  Axel 07/10/08
      3.   #1 silly silvienne just cant help herself 21:57  |  v.hardman 07/10/08
      4.   This is pushing the settlers to establish their own security 23:06  |  Alicia 07/10/08
      5.   to v.hardman 23:27  |  John 07/10/08
      6.   v hardman 3 00:19  |  potobac 08/10/08
      7.   #4 Alicia, without IDF settlers would hold for about 3 hours 01:14  |  Philip 08/10/08
      8.   #3, HARDMAN brings up the past for his benefit 01:45  |  VIPER 08/10/08
      9.   500 Palestinian police officers to be deployed in Hebron. 02:24  |  Maureen Ann 08/10/08
      10.   article needs more research 03:52  |  SlabTzu 08/10/08
      11.   #7, Philip from Herzliya, well said... 06:14  |  Silvienne 08/10/08
      12.   Barak will bear the guilt 07:35  |  Moshe 08/10/08
      13.   If the IDF won`t protect Jews... 07:45  |  Moshe 08/10/08
      14.   Perfectly Orwellian: send in mafia to enforce law 08:23  |  Ilan 08/10/08
      15.   Hebron, settlers and residents. 09:20  |  Stephen. 08/10/08
      16.   oh finally! 09:54  |  Northern 08/10/08
      17.   To Moshe 20:52  |  John 08/10/08
      18.   Alicia, There Can Be Only One Security Force in Palestine 21:05  |  Reader 08/10/08
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