A group of young activists who were arrested during the most recent violent expulsion of Jews from the new community Shvut Ami were taken to court on Monday for an extension of custody. Young men were taken to Kfar Saba, while the young women were taken to Petach Tikva. The activists are accused of violating an IDF order declaring Shvut Ami a closed military zone. Two girls are also accused of attacking an officer.
Many of the young activists refused to identify themselves. Police in Kfar Saba would not allow parents to see their sons, arguing that if the youth did not identify themselves, police could not know who their true parents were.
Parents expressed a mix of concern and pride in their children. “These are the best children in the people of Israel,” one mother said. “They have the spirit of healthy Jews, who want to settle the land of Israel.” She accused the government of treating the young activists as the anti-Zionist British army treated Jewish pioneers during the British mandate.