Settlers, peace activists clash at illegal outpost close to Kedumim

West Bank settlers clashed violently with peace activists and Palestinians hours after the evacuation of an illegal outpost close to the Kedumim settlement Wednesday.

In the morning, police and Civil Administration officials evacuated seven Jewish teenagers staying at the outpost, which had been built some six months ago. It had been evacuated several times, but each time the settlers moved back.

In the afternoon peace activists and Palestinians came to the site with the intention of establishing their own outpost. They said the land's Palestinian owner asked them to keep an eye on it for her.

In response the settlers organized youths to return to the site.

The Yesh Din human rights organization reported that the settlers attacked and beat the peace activists and Palestinians, while the Border Police stood idly by.

Attorney Michael Sfarad, who represents Yesh Din and the site's owner, said her insistence on protecting her property while the authorities did almost nothing to enforce the law was admirable.

The settlers accused the security forces with blocking the youths' return to the site with excess violence and beating. They said the outpost would be rebuilt, and that there was no proof the land belonged to Palestinians.

	Border Police troops dragging a settler away from an outpost near Kedumim. (AP)