Rightists scope out home of new GOC Central Command

Radical right-wing activists have been seen scoping out the home of future GOC Central Command Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi, even though he will not take up the position for another month, Haaretz has learned.

Local police in Mizrahi's town informed his family that several right-wing activists have been seen surveying their home and street, in all probability to plan protests once he assumes the command. Though the house is situated on a very narrow street, this is not likely to deter the protesters.

Such demonstrations have become a common sight over the years, as radical right-wingers have increasingly opted to hold protests directly opposite the private homes of senior officers serving in the West Bank. When Maj. Gen. Yair Naveh was GOC Central Command, he suffered constant abuse by activists and settlers, who resented his part in the violent clashes that occurred when homes were demolished in the Amona outpost in 2006. Naveh's successor, Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni, saw protests staged outside his home after he issued orders banning several right-wing extremists from the West Bank.

Protests have also been held in front of the home of Brig. Gen. Noam Tivon, commander of the IDF forces in the West Bank, due to his role in evicting settlers from the "Brown House" in Hebron and in demolishing a nearby outpost occupied by right-wing extremist Noam Federman.

These and other Israel Defense Forces officers have also suffered other types of harassment, including being threatened with lawsuits.