The Samaria Regional Council and the Elon Moreh Local Authority are planning to sue the Agencie-Press Francais (AFP) news agency for libel. The charges stem from a recent report by AFP reporters that the town dumps sewage on olive trees owned by Arabs in the area. According to the town, the water that the report refers to is clean and pure, having been recycled and treated. “It is actually the Arabs who are polluting the area, who, despite our offer to hook their systems up to our water purification unit, have refused to do so because of threats by the Palestinian Authority,” the plaintiffs said in a statement.

“We are used to blood libels, lies, and untruths from the left and the PA's public relations people, but we will not remain silent this time,” the statement said, adding that it would sue those responsible for the lies.