IDF officials have announced that in an effort to “protect Palestinian property and ensure public order”, a task force is being established in response to a “violent confrontation” that occurred on Independence Day, last week.

A special border police force will be stationed in the northern Shomron with a mission to prevent settler attacks against Arabs, including actions under the banner of the “Price Tag” campaign in which settlers have struck out against Arabs in acts of reprisal to government policy. The military states the border police will be responsible for maintaining public order and preventing property damage, adding only veteran troops with adequate experience to deal with the complex assignment will be deployed in the area.

Last week, at least one soldier was injured in a confrontation in the Yitzhar area in addition to the tires of a military vehicle being slashed, as was reported by YWN-Israel, prompting senior commanders to state they are no longer willing to permit attacks against soldiers, vowing to come down hard on future offenders.

One minor was taken into custody and remanded later in the week in connection with the damage to the tires of the military vehicle.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)