The Rosh Yeshiva and three teens were held for questioning in a stone-throwing attack on three senior police officials patrolling in Yitzhar on Wednesday afternoon. One teen was freed a short time later.
Commander Uzi Zomer, the Samaria district deputy police chief said Wednesday night, "We released one of the teens, a 17-year-old, after it turned out he could not be positively identified. The interrogation of the other three continues."
Zomer said police had ended their search for suspects. "At this point we are out of Yitzhar," he said. However, he added, "We'll judge all those who participated in the pogrom severely."
Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter, meanwhile, warned Yesha leaders during a meeting Wednesday afternoon that people who attack police and security personnel would be dealt with harshly. Dichter was meeting with the community leaders over plans to evacuate 24 outposts in Judea and Samaria.
The Yitzhar attack began when the district security coordinator, a second security commander and a third officer began to patrol the community to “check the security of the students in the settlement,” according to police.
A crowd of approximately 30 people identified as yeshiva students, some wearing masks, threw rocks and bricks at the officers and their patrol car. The vehicle was damaged and one of the officers was lightly injured. Officers fired over the heads of the attackers to disperse the crowd.
It was like being in Nablus (Shechem) or Jenin,” said Commander Shaul Gabai. “Dozens of masked men ran toward us wearing kafiyas. We were outnumbered and at a significant disadvantage, with the three of us standing on a road at the foot of a hill while dozens of settlers stood on the hilltop above us.”
“Israel Police and the Judea and Samaria District see this attack on police officers as very serious,” said Major General Yisrael Yitzhak, Samaria and Judea police chief. “The police will do everything to bring the lawbreakers to justice.”
Gabai made it clear he was not referring to the entire community, however -- only to those who attacked his forces. “I don’t call these people settlers. These masked stone throwers are criminals,” said Gabai.
Commander Uzi Zomer, the Samaria district deputy police chief said Wednesday night, "We released one of the teens, a 17-year-old, after it turned out he could not be positively identified. The interrogation of the other three continues."
Zomer said police had ended their search for suspects. "At this point we are out of Yitzhar," he said. However, he added, "We'll judge all those who participated in the pogrom severely."
Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter, meanwhile, warned Yesha leaders during a meeting Wednesday afternoon that people who attack police and security personnel would be dealt with harshly. Dichter was meeting with the community leaders over plans to evacuate 24 outposts in Judea and Samaria.
The Yitzhar attack began when the district security coordinator, a second security commander and a third officer began to patrol the community to “check the security of the students in the settlement,” according to police.
A crowd of approximately 30 people identified as yeshiva students, some wearing masks, threw rocks and bricks at the officers and their patrol car. The vehicle was damaged and one of the officers was lightly injured. Officers fired over the heads of the attackers to disperse the crowd.
It was like being in Nablus (Shechem) or Jenin,” said Commander Shaul Gabai. “Dozens of masked men ran toward us wearing kafiyas. We were outnumbered and at a significant disadvantage, with the three of us standing on a road at the foot of a hill while dozens of settlers stood on the hilltop above us.”
“Israel Police and the Judea and Samaria District see this attack on police officers as very serious,” said Major General Yisrael Yitzhak, Samaria and Judea police chief. “The police will do everything to bring the lawbreakers to justice.”
Gabai made it clear he was not referring to the entire community, however -- only to those who attacked his forces. “I don’t call these people settlers. These masked stone throwers are criminals,” said Gabai.