With flaming Star of David and swastika, Palestinians protest illegal outpost
Explosive device set off as Beita residents mark 100 days of protests against Evyatar, which have cost at least 7 lives
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Palestinians protesting against an illegal Israeli outpost in the West Bank on Saturday evening set fire to a Star of David combined with a swastika.
Images posted on Palestinian media showed the makeshift construction and dozens of torches being prepared for nightly demonstrations near the West Bank town of Beita. Later, footage showed the structure set on fire.
The protests against the outpost, known as Evyatar, built on a hilltop overlooking Beita, have continued despite settlers leaving the hilltop.
Israeli authorities cut a deal with the settlers last month. In exchange for them leaving the area, the makeshift buildings they installed will remain in place, and the IDF will turn the area into a makeshift base. Over the next several months, the Defense Ministry will survey the land to determine its status and see if it can be legally transformed into a formal settlement.
In recent months, at least seven Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops during violent clashes near the outpost.
After dark, Palestinian “night confusion units” would shine lasers, chant slogans, burn tires and set off makeshift explosive devices in an attempt to irritate the hilltop’s residents.
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The tactic was borrowed from a similar strategy used by Gaza-based terror groups along the border fence with Israel.
The protests on Saturday marked 100 days of demonstrations against the outpost.
Along with the swastika and Star of David, footage reportedly from Saturday’s demonstration also showed Palestinians setting off a large explosive device in the area.
انفجار ضخم خلال فعاليات الإرباك الليلي التي انطلقت قبل قليل قرب البؤرة الاستيطانية في بلدة بيتا جنوب نابلس. pic.twitter.com/KM9qe6oRP8
— وكالة شهاب للأنباء (@ShehabAgency) August 14, 2021
There was no immediate statement from the Israel Defense Forces on Saturday’s protests.
The Evyatar outpost was established on Jabal Sbeih back in May, with hundreds of settlers flowed into the area and holding regular events in an attempt to push the state to legalize the land grab.
Palestinians say the plot is privately owned by Beita residents. Israeli authorities have not yet determined whether that is the case.
Aaron Boxerman contributed to this report.
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