Hebron: Israeli settlers and troops attack shepherds; kidnap one

Monday May 19, 2008 20:35 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News

A group of Israeli settlers, supported by Israeli troops, on Monday attacked Palestinian shepherds, kidnapping one, near the village of Yatta in the southern West Bank district of Hebron.

Israeli armed settlers attacking Palestinian civilians homes in Hebron - File 2007

Witnesses said that a group of armed settlers from the Nuf-Nisher settlement attacked the shepherds while they were herding their sheep on their land, located near the illegal settlement. As soon as the attacks commenced, Israeli troops rushed to the area.

Two shepherds were injured by settlers and Abed Rashed, 33, was abducted by Israeli troops, witnesses added.

Nasser Al Nawa'jah, of the local committee against settlement construction, told reporters that such attacks take place on a daily basis, and the Israeli army frequently aid the settlers in those attacks. Al Nawa'jah added that those settlers' attacks are aimed at forcing Palestinian farmers to leave their lands, in order to expand the nearby Israeli settlement.

Israeli settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territory runs contrary to both international law and the US-sponsored ‘Road Map’ peace plan.

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