Reservists protest against Yitzhar violence

Several dozen reservist soldiers protested Sunday outside the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar against racist “price tag” attacks, some of which have been carried out by Yitzhar residents.

“We are demonstrating against the attack on the reservists’ camp [last month], the revolting postings in the [online] forum [endorsing attacks on soldiers], and ‘price tag’ attacks by residents,” protest organizer Yair Fink told the Ynet news website.

The protesters demanded that the government let radical settlers and other Jewish extremists understand that such acts are beyond the pale and will not be allowed to continue.

Residents of the settlement called on the police to disperse the demonstration, which did not have police approval, but the rally proceeded unimpeded.

“Price tag” is a term used to describe acts of vandalism and violence associated with Jewish extremists in retaliation for Palestinian terror attacks and to protest what they perceive as the Israeli government’s pro-Palestinian policies. Mosques, churches, dovish Israeli groups and even Israeli military bases have been targeted in such assaults.

Yitzhar, a settlement near the West Bank city of Nablus, is home to some of the most radical elements in the settler movement, and has been a flashpoint for violence between right-wing activists and Israeli security forces.

Earlier this month, residents attacked police who came to the settlement to search the home of a couple suspected of participating in a “price tag” attack. A Border Police vehicle was damaged.