NABLUS AREA SETTLERS EXPLAIN THEIR VIOLENT SUMMER

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001495 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2018 TAGS: KWBG PBTS PREL PHUM ASEC IS SUBJECT: NABLUS AREA SETTLERS EXPLAIN THEIR VIOLENT SUMMER REF: JERUSALEM 1429 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In PolOff's August 8 visits to Yitzhar and Bracha settlements, Yitzhar spokesman Yigal Amitai denied recent reports of settler violence aimed at Palestinians as "retaliatory, false, or misreported." Poloff observed new construction at both settlements. END SUMMARY History of Violence: Yitzhar Settlers Deny Reports of Attacks Against Palestinians -------------- ¶2. (C) Poloff visited Yitzhar and Har Bracha settlements (south of Nablus) on August 8 with Yitzhar spokesman Yigal Amitai. Poloff observed 20 new caravan homes and a nearly-complete yeshiva in Yitzhar and twelve homes under construction in Bracha. ¶3. (C) Amitai said Palestinians are also a source of violence. Recent reports of settler violence, he claimed, receive disproportionate coverage; "fifty-nine times since July 1, Palestinians have hit Israeli cars with rocks in the West Bank, but nothing has been reported in the media." ¶4. (C) Discussing reported settler harassment of neighboring Palestinian villagers, Amitai claimed Palestinian villagers had burned wheat cultivated by settlers only days before its harvest, and the attacks "were our response." (Note: Poloff observed large areas of burnt olive trees around Yitzhar, which Amitai said were on disputed land. End note). Amitai said neighboring Palestinians "are not white sheep," and added, "Palestinians don't want a state; they are like Al Capone with their gangster-like culture. They used to be a productive culture, but now they are like a deadly infusion into our veins." A "New Policy" Vs. IDF -------------- ¶5. (C) Amitai said area settlers have adopted a "new policy" to counteract IDF moves against them, which include distraction and diversion tactics to "increase the cost" of IDF operations (reftel) by requiring more soldiers in more areas. During the summer, notices have appeared in settlement newspapers publicizing the strategy, and encouraging settlers to resist the IDF in "small groups of ten" across separate areas and advocating roadblocks and arson. ¶6. (C) Upon entering and exiting Yitzhar's main traffic circle, Poloff's vehicle was pulled over by young settlers toting M-4 rifles demanding to know the vehicle's destination. On departure, a young settler pointed his M-4 at the vehicle. (Note: Recent Israeli press reports refer to Yitzhar's "rapid response teams," privately trained settler groups that are prone to clash with the IDF, who have at times confiscated their weapons. End note) "Settler Qassams" or Just "Aeronautical Test"? -------------- ¶7. (C) Amitai showed Poloff the settlement's yeshiva (10 caravans) where a student recently built a rudimentary projectile and launched it in the direction of Burin village on June 20 (reftel). Amitai called the launch a mere "aeronautical test," and said the student was arrested but is now at home in Yitzhar. Amitai said the rocket traveled some 300 meters and landed inside Yitzhar's perimeter, near its small winery and vineyard. Amitai escorted Poloff into the neighboring settlement of Bracha, from which subsequent launches have been reported. Denying those incidents, Amitai said villagers in Burin had "collected spent IDF flare shells and handed them to police" and that claims of rockets fired by Bracha settlers are false. WALLES