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Last update - 20:11 13/09/2009
Settlers and troops clash as IDF chief eyes better ties
By Chaim Levinson, Haaretz Correspondent, and haaretz Service
Tags: Israel News, West Bank, IDF 

A violent clash between settlers and Israeli security forces erupted at a West Bank outpost on Sunday, as Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi called for improved settler-army relations.

"Next year there will be challenges in the sphere of security and possibly in other areas as well," said Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi, in a veiled reference to possible future conflicts over West Bank settlements. "We must work on this together. We all understand the need for this."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly plans to announce a freeze on construction in settlements and the army is gearing up to evacuate dozens of illegal outposts, moves that settlers are likely to furiously resist.
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The clash broke out at the West Bank outpost of Havat Gilad, after security forces arrived at the site in order to confiscate a truck, which they suspected of being used to illegally move caravans. The owner of the truck claims that it is only used for his work in a construction company.

Dozens of youths subsequently came to the scene, and prevented the security forces from moving the truck. During an ensuing scuffle, which Israel Radio reported included shoving and cursing, four settler youths were arrested and one was wounded.

Settlers later set a nearby Palestinian olive grove ablaze to protest the incident.

Ashkenazi made his remarks at an IDF Central Command toast marking the Jewish New Year.

At the same event on Sunday, the GOC Central Command, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni, said he did not expect violence the flare up in the West Bank.

The officer said the year coming to an end had been a good year as far as security was concerned, one that marked an improvement in the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians.

According to Shami, the West Bank is experiencing "wellbeing, prosperity, and freedom of movement."

"We have difficult challenges ahead of us, and we don't yet know how those challenges will effect us," Shami said, adding that the IDF was "prepared for every eventuality - terror, violent flare us, in case those occur."

"It will be easy to tackle those challenges together," Shamni added.


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      1.   What we do know... 16:08  |  Victor 13/09/09
      2.   Settlers themselves providing ample proof... 16:43  |  Esther 13/09/09
      3.   Settlements an obstacle to peace? 16:55  |  Ronen 13/09/09
      4.   Jewish settlement 17:25  |  Great White North 13/09/09
      5.   "Kabuki dance," Israeli style 17:49  |  HPL 13/09/09
      6.   burning any fruit bearing tree is a grave sin in Judaism 18:30  |  squatters religious? 13/09/09
      7.   Settlers later set a nearby Palestinian olive grove ablaze to pro 18:47  |  ptr 13/09/09
      8.   We will not know a day of peace, as long as the settlers prevail 19:41  |  Esther 13/09/09
      9.   Settlers, We support you in every way 20:58  |  Aron 13/09/09
      10.   If the settlers keep this up... 21:03  |  Silvienne 13/09/09
      11.   Need 3 states. Settlers will not assimilate anywhere. 21:38  |  Rabbi Wright 13/09/09
      12.   Those "settlers" should be in prison 22:03  |  JO 13/09/09
      13.   Israeli occupation forces and settlers work in tandum. 22:52  |  Maureen Ann 13/09/09
      14.   Aron in upstate NY 23:40  |  arieh zimmerman 13/09/09
      15.   a state for the settlers, Rabbi Wright, #11 23:57  |  arieh zimmerman 13/09/09
      16.   #6 squatter. 01:55  |  Victor 14/09/09
      17.   Barbaric 02:30  |  Jonathan 14/09/09
      18.   #10, SILVIENNE, i`ve said it all along 02:32  |  VIPER 14/09/09
      19.   Great white north you are wrong 04:12  |  Janice 14/09/09
      20.   settlers set a Palestinian olive grove ablaze 04:35  |  Ann Fink 14/09/09
      21.   Operation Price Tag is Evil & disgusting.... 05:46  |  Jayne 14/09/09
      22.   Careful with the wording. 06:04  |  Ryan 14/09/09
      23.   WhiteNorth, write it enough and you might believe it... 06:17  |  J. 14/09/09
      24.   60+ years of war of annihilation of Israel is barbaric. 07:31  |  Settler 14/09/09
      25.   Lack of state moral fibre 11:20  |  r cummings 14/09/09
      26.   settlers 15:02  |  mark aleshnick 14/09/09
      27.   #19 Wouldn`t work in Crown Heights.... 15:45  |  J. 14/09/09
      28.   #20, J 17:11  |  Silvienne 14/09/09
      29.   and had the settlers been palestinians? well let`s see now... 17:44  |  eric 14/09/09
      30.   When it comes time to turn control of legal/illegal 17:45  |  Erastus CoupeDeVille 14/09/09
      31.   Greed and racism will slowly kill israel from within 18:37  |  ezra 14/09/09
      32.   #22, Settler gets his knickers in a twist! 19:32  |  Silvienne 14/09/09
      33.   A good day`s work for the IDF 19:32  |  Alfred 14/09/09
      34.   # 24 you`re absolutely right mr settler man; it`s NOT 1938 20:44  |  eric 14/09/09
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