PRESS RELEASE
"Three settlers of Havat Ma'on attack Internationals in Meshakha valley, South Hebron Hills"
July 18th 2011
At-Tuwani – On 18 July 2011 around 6:35 pm three settlers attacked two members of Operation Dove and one member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) with clubs and stones in the Meshakha valley outside of At-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills. The settlers were observed coming out of the outpost of Havat Ma'on covering their faces with scarves then running with clubs in their hands toward two Palestinian shepherds who were grazing their sheep in a valley nearby.
The masked settlers could not catch the shepherds who were alerted of the approaching danger. The attackers then turned and ran toward the internationals who entered the valley to intervene and document the attack. Three young masked settlers armed with clubs made threats and then attempted to strike the internationals as they filmed their actions. As the internationals retreated the settlers begin throwing stones narrowly missing their targets. No Palestinians or internationals were injured in the incident.
This incident follows a similar attack of July 13th, 2011 where three settler youth attacked Palestinian shepherds. This is also the fifth violent settler attack from the outpost of Havat Ma'on within the last 30 days against internationals and Palestinians.
Operation Dove and Christian Peacemaker Teams have maintained an international presence in At-Tuwani and South Hebron Hills since 2004.
Pictures of the incident: http://snipurl.com/27stw4
Video of the incident: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRjDLrx23sU
For further information:
Operation Dove, 054 99 25 773
Christian Peacemaker Teams, 054 25 31 323
