IDF and border police demolished three buildings near Yitzhar

Large forces of soldiers and border police destroyed tonight (Wednesday) three buildings in the "sruga" estate of southern Yitzhar, according to residents, using violence against local people and against photographers who tried to document the violence. Citizens who called the security center were told that "this is an exercise."

Large forces of soldiers and border police demolished tonight starting at 3:30 three stone buildings in the 'sruga" estate of southern Yitzhar. The place was rebuilt six months ago, after it was built and abandoned several times in previous years.

According to residents, the police locked the guard in the guard post at the entrance to the settlement and took his cell phone. The road leading to the settlement was blocked, and residents returning from work late at night, had to return home by foot. When residents approached the division center, they were told that this is an exercise only.

Singles sleeping at the stoned structure were handcuffed and their phones were confiscated. A similar procedure was activated at the "Od Yosef Chai" Yeshiva in Yitzhar, in order to prevent their arrival at the estate.

During the night, the tires of a military vehicle were punctured, in revenge for the demolition of the buildings.

The IDF recently turned to the Yitzhar settlement, to allow the access of trailers to be used for housing troops, stationed near the village Atzira Al Kabaliya near Yitzhar.

Yitzhar residents point at the Samaria Brigade commander who stated in a conversation with residents a few months ago that he informed his superiors and ordered the destruction of the estate which was destroyed tonight. "There is no doubt that the house which was destroyed will be rebuilt," said Yizhar residents, "but to rebuild the warm relations with the army will take longer."

An IDF spokesman said that during the evacuation dozens of settlers threw stones at security forces; others rolled burning tires and went into Arab villages. One protester was arrested for violating a restraining order.

IDF condemned the rioting and said that "it hurts soldiers and diverts them from the activity of maintaining security." Yitzhar residents complained that photographers who tried to reach the area and document the destruction and violence, were attacked by the police, and the head of one of the photographers was slammed against an iron pole and the content of his camera was deleted.

Photographs by: Elchanan Grunner – Hakol Hayehudi and Avraham Binyamin

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!