Israeli settlers to march into Palestinian area

Updated: 2011-09-19 13:30

(Xinhua)

  Comments() Print Mail Large Medium  Small 分享按钮 0

JERUSALEM - Jewish settlers living in the West Bank threatened Sunday to march into the Palestinian National Authority's (PNA) territory to protest the Palestinian statehood bid in the United Nations, local media reported.

Israeli settlers to march into Palestinian area
Dubbed "sovereignty marches," the protests will take place in three different locations, namely from Itamar to Nablus, from Beit El to the closest Israel Defense Forces (IDF) District Coordination and Liaison and from Kiryat Arba to Manoach Mountain, the reports said.

Ahead of the PNA's planned statehood request, settlers were concerned with Palestinian security's capability to deter potential marches on the settlements, according to the Israeli website Ynet.

"This week we'll hold marches, begin construction and show our presence to make it clear to everyone whom this country belongs to," Hilltop Youth leader Meir Bertler told Ynet.

However, Daviv Haivri from the Samaria Regional Council, expected nothing more than "flag waving" during the rallies.

"I don't expect any major protests, just flag waving," Haivri told Xinhua on Sunday, adding that "it seems there will be something like a commotion in the West Bank, but it's more like a media buzz."

Meanwhile, the IDF as well as Israeli police forces are preparing for any possible scenario in the West Bank, including attempts to attack Jewish settlements by Palestinian rioters.