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Last update - 18:10 22/10/2008 Criminal neglect in the West Bank By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Palestinians, Sukkot  As happens every Sukkot holiday, tens of thousands of Israelis accepted the Jewish National Fund's invitation to take their families to visit olive groves across the country. Many participated in the harvest celebrations and heard the tale of the olive tree, the symbol of peace. And as happens every year when the olive harvest begins, dozens of youths set out from the settlements and outposts to the olive groves of the West Bank to confront their Palestinian neighbors. They also threatened human rights activists who volunteered to help the harvesters and beat a photographer who came to document the Sukkot riots. The Torah - which was the focus of yesterday's holiday celebrating the conclusion of the annual reading cycle and its renewal - reminds the people of Israel that they were foreigners in Egypt, and prohibits them from exploiting foreigners, orphans or widows. But enlightened religious laws like these are, themselves, foreign to the spirit of the hooligans who wear large skullcaps and dare to call themselves Torah-observant Jews. They have been stealing the land of powerless farmers for decades and do not recoil from stealing the fruit of these farmers' humble land. A society that declares its longing for peace cannot accept such malicious Jewish terror against innocent Palestinian civilians. Advertisement One could have expected the settler leaders, including important rabbis, to more vehemently condemn their Jewish neighbors, who personify the occupation in all its ugliness. But it is the occupation authorities who are tasked with the moral and formal responsibility for the well-being of the Palestinian population. All the attacks have taken place in areas B and C, which the Oslo Accords placed under Israel's sole security responsibility. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was completely correct when he said, early this week, that Israel has failed in its duty and has not defended Palestinian farmers from the settlers. The security forces know the identity of the leaders of the rioters and know where the clashes take place - in the southern Hebron Hills, Tel Rumeida and central Samaria. The timing of the harvest isn't exactly a military secret, either. Nonetheless, this year, too - as every year - fairly small groups manage to reach the olive groves, where they beat, steal and then return home safely. There's no need to guess how the security forces would have dealt with Palestinians or peace activists who dared raise a hand against a settler; just visit the anti-fence protests in Bil'in or Na'alin. Ehud Barak, the minister responsible for the Israel Defense Forces, which is sovereign in the territories, gave an interview with Army Radio on Monday condemning the harassment of the harvesters, and said the army was deploying with "supreme efort" to allow the harvest to take place. Nonetheless, the defense minister hid behind the dubious excuse that "there are hundreds of sites, and it's impossible to be everywhere at once." It would be interesting to see how Barak would react to such an excuse if it were given by Palestinians discussing possible harm to settlers or IDF soldiers. In the same interview, Barak said the Palestinian leadership is incapable of making the decisions necessary to reach a final-status agreement. Instead of vilifying the Palestinian decision-making ability, it would have been better if the politician tapped to become the senior-most deputy prime minister were to make a decision to enforce law and order in his jurisdiction and allocate the resources necessary to do so. The Israel Police and Shin Bet security service also should not tolerate settlers' shameful attacks on olive harvesters. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hitting Hezbollah Iraqi site reports Nasrallah was poisoned last week and Iranian doctors saved him. Terror as support Al-Qaida-linked Web site supports McCain for president by means of welcoming terror.   1.   how can you steal registered land ? 08:38  |  victor hardman 22/10/08   2.   Criminal 08:48  |  Ralph 22/10/08   3.   Editorial could not be more timely... 08:51  |  Esther 22/10/08   4.   The settlers will exit the stage with a bang, not a whimper 09:14  |  Natallie Durson 22/10/08   5.   Settlers MUST BE LEASHED NOW! 09:31  |  Dave 22/10/08   6.   The stark truth and reality that often Haaretz prints... 09:31  |  BBSNews 22/10/08   7.   "Tikkun Olam" and occupation/settlers = No friends at all 09:35  |  Swiss (Dino) 22/10/08   8.   No sense of fairness at Haaretz 09:50  |  Ilan 22/10/08   9.   The inevitable apologists... 09:57  |  Esther 22/10/08   10.   Most violent attacks are by Arabs 10:11  |  Moshe 22/10/08   11.   For Ilan #8 10:18  |  Esther 22/10/08   12.   You must not tolerate settlers in the WestBank. Period. 10:19  |  John 22/10/08   13.   Swiss (Dino) - never mind Tikkun olam 10:30  |  sh 22/10/08   14.   WHEN THE PEACE IS ACHIEVED 10:40  |  indrajaya 22/10/08   15.   #8-9 One crime does not justify another 10:45  |  Yonatan 22/10/08   16.   I saw it on TV 10:48  |  Yonatan 22/10/08   17.   #14 indrajaya - for once I agree with you 10:49  |  Yonatan 22/10/08   18.   # 13 sh 11:11  |  Swiss (Dino) 22/10/08   19.   when Swiss try to give lessons in morality, I`ve seen it all 11:28  |  jew 22/10/08   20.   to Moshe #10 11:29  |  zeev 22/10/08   21.   Esther still not getting it 11:32  |  Settler Babe 22/10/08   22.   Beware of Lefties extolling Scriptures 11:45  |  Absolute Sweden 22/10/08   23.   Palestinians stole the olive trees 11:48  |  lady from USA 22/10/08   24.   To JAY personally, if you read Haaretz from Ramallah today 11:54  |  zmogus 22/10/08   25.   You must not tolerate Arabs in the West Bank PERIOD 11:54  |  lady from USA 22/10/08   26.   sh 11:58  |  lady from USA 22/10/08   27.   Yonatan 12:02  |  lady from USA 22/10/08   28.   23 Lady from USA. Jews stole from the Canaanites. So what? 12:02  |  Michael 22/10/08   29.   Swiss (Dino) again 12:05  |  sh 22/10/08   30.   How would you feel 12:12  |  lady from USA 22/10/08   31.   Settlers are extremists 12:27  |  Aaron 22/10/08   32.   For Babe #21 12:29  |  Esther 22/10/08   33.   to lady from USA #30 12:30  |  zeev 22/10/08   34.   Criminal neglect in the Gaza strip 12:31  |  Jonathan S 22/10/08   35.   I don`t justify violence, but I expect fair play 12:32  |  Ilan 22/10/08   36.   Lady #23 12:36  |  Esther 22/10/08   37.   Natallie dreams with Israel destruction, even caused by peace 12:36  |  Israeli citizen 22/10/08   38.   Michael 12:51  |  lady from USA 22/10/08   39.   # 29 sh 12:58  |  Swiss (Dino) 22/10/08   40.   Aaron you are an extremist 13:05  |  Settler Babe 22/10/08   41.   no understanding 13:10  |  malvina 22/10/08   42.   Esther it would be nice to see you show awareness of gradations 13:11  |  Settler Babe 22/10/08   43.   Do Muslim governments allow cameras? 13:14  |  lady from USA 22/10/08   44.   Lady from USA 38 I don`t think God likes ethnic cleansing. 13:23  |  Michael 22/10/08   45.   If Settlers allowed to carry on they will the Hamas of 13:28  |  Binyamin 22/10/08   46.   Once again the great Israeli Dichotomy 13:40  |  Mark Lincoln 22/10/08   47.   Murray # 40 13:44  |  kameel 22/10/08   48.   The GOOD settlers of the W.B: (those who went there for cheap hse 13:45  |  B.Wein 22/10/08   49.   Thx To Haaretz 13:50  |  Antoine Saca 22/10/08   50.   to Jonathan S #34 - very badly informed. 13:51  |  zeev 22/10/08   51.   la dy fr. USA.# 25. Did U know that 14:02  |  Benny 22/10/08   52.   Honesty is the best Policy, thank you Mr Editor. 14:24  |  Aaron 22/10/08   53.   ANCIENT HISTORY 14:38  |  Neutered Observer 22/10/08   54.   #47 mark in the dark as usual about reality 15:25  |  victor hardman 22/10/08   55.   Babe #41, 43 15:48  |  Esther 22/10/08   56.   For Zeev about the real conflict 15:57  |  Jonathan S 22/10/08   57.   A vote for Zeev 15:57  |  Jasper 22/10/08   58.   The "T" word 16:09  |  Arie 22/10/08   59.   Murray 16:57  |  lady from USA 22/10/08   60.   Esther, Ill -acquired? I have deeds of sale and receipts 17:02  |  Settler Babe 22/10/08   61.   I agree: Arab settlers must not harass Indigenous Jews 17:04  |  Expel Arab Settlers 22/10/08   62.   To Ilan from Ariel 17:45  |  Otto Rand 22/10/08   63.   Understandable 19:23  |  Jess Ghannam 22/10/08   64.   we are strong! 19:36  |  scott 22/10/08   65.   No political will for justice 20:55  |  Nina 22/10/08   66.   to Jasper #57 - thank you - 2nd try 21:42  |  zeev 22/10/08   67.   to Jonathan S #56 - about the real threat 21:44  |  zeev 22/10/08   68.   Babe #60 22:16  |  Esther 22/10/08   69.   #28 So what 22:35  |  Inachu 22/10/08   70.   Yo Otto learn to read 22:39  |  Ilan 22/10/08   71.   Political will and justice 22:42  |  Jess Ghannam 22/10/08   72.   Babe #60 22:57  |  Esther 22/10/08   73.   Zeev Poll #66 23:17  |  Jasper 22/10/08   74.   Nationally subsidized goons 23:22  |  Mark Lincoln 22/10/08   75.   Natallie Durson will exit the stage with a pfffft 23:43  |  Joe Sittizen 22/10/08   76.   Joe #72...what law to the settlers abide by..,? 00:03  |  Esther 23/10/08   77.   THIS IS RIDICULOUS 00:39  |  Cromagnon 23/10/08   78.   to Joe Sittizen #75 00:40  |  zeev 23/10/08   79.   Enough talking 00:49  |  Jolly Roger 23/10/08   80.   #60 Settler Babe, a question..... 01:07  |  Johnboy 23/10/08   81.   Thank you Haaretz 01:31  |  Mohammed 23/10/08   82.   #74 Hmmm, but they need a good name, Mark Lincoln 01:31  |  Johnboy 23/10/08   83.   Better question Johnny Boy 01:34  |  Jess Ghannam 23/10/08   84.   stupid article 01:51  |  d muntean 23/10/08   85.   Cromagnon 01:52  |  human 23/10/08   86.   Almost all "settler terror" is self defense. 01:55  |  Chaim 23/10/08   87.   #59 USA Lady 01:58  |  Cromagnon 23/10/08   88.   #83 Which then elicits another question, Jess 02:02  |  Johnboy 23/10/08   89.   Esther...it is YOU who shames us all. 02:28  |  spade 23/10/08   90.   #86 Chaim acts out all three monkeys 02:54  |  Johnboy 23/10/08   91.   #85 Human 03:35  |  Cromagnon 23/10/08   92.   spade, first a question for you... 04:08  |  BBSNews 23/10/08   93.   Jolly Rodger, calls for ethnic cleaning of Arabs. 04:19  |  BBSNews 23/10/08   94.   5th attempt to criticize this editorial 05:16  |  Josh 23/10/08   95.   Settlers and those that like them don`t get it 05:27  |  Fletch 23/10/08   96.   #22 stealing lands 05:37  |  fletch 23/10/08   97.   #33 Zeev 05:53  |  fletch 23/10/08   98.   #34 05:59  |  Fletch 23/10/08   99.   #38 historically speaking 06:09  |  Fletch 23/10/08   100.   Yeah, so, as I was saying, five times already... 06:16  |  Josh 23/10/08   101.   #56 Jonathon for ZEEV 06:22  |  Fletch 23/10/08   102.   Cromagnon #77, #85 06:34  |  Fletch 23/10/08   103.   #29, sh, it has nothing to do with religion 06:42  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 23/10/08   104.   #89, spade 06:47  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 23/10/08   105.   Haaretz and Arab terror - apologists for each other 06:59  |  pace306 23/10/08   106.   #95 another misguided ignoramus called fletch joins the dawn chor 08:07  |  victor hardman 23/10/08   107.   #92 bbsnews is OBLIVIOUS that he SELF IMMOLATES 08:34  |  CK Tan 23/10/08   108.   Esther the naive re prices 08:52  |  Settler Babe 23/10/08   109.   Johnboy so you want the seller to be killed? 08:56  |  Settler Babe 23/10/08   110.   Ha`aretz? Al Jazeera!! 09:08  |  Susan 23/10/08   111.   to Jasper #73 - 3rd try 09:19  |  zeev 23/10/08   112.   to spade #89 09:33  |  zeev 23/10/08   113.   To zeev in beersheva - sorry, I`m no loser 09:44  |  Joe Sittizen 23/10/08   114.   to Joe Sittizen #113 - (1) 13:36  |  zeev 23/10/08   115.   to Joe Sittizen #113 - (2) 14:00  |  zeev 23/10/08   116.   to Joe Sittizen #113 - (3/3) 14:02  |  zeev 23/10/08   117.   on victor hardman #106 15:07  |  zeev 23/10/08

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