Settler leader: Shin Bet behind attack on Sternhell

Daniela Weiss, a prominent settler leader detained for attacking police near her West Bank home, claimed on Saturday that she had been arrested as part of a Shin Bet Security Services anti-settler campaign.

The former head of Kedumim council also claimed that last week's pipe bomb attack against outspoken left-wing advocate Ze'ev Sternhell was masterminded by Shin Bet to turn public opinion against the settlers.

"A settler would never have done a thing like that," Weiss said. "It's in Shin Bet's best interest to create this provocation, in order to libel the settlers and thereby pave the way to settlement evacuation."

Weiss also denied allegations she had given shelter to right-wing activists suspected of setting fire to a Palestinian olive grove after the evacuation of outpost of Shvut Ami, during which settlers clashed with police and Israel Defense Forces troops and Weiss was arrested.