Israel stages raids on West Bank settlements as Barak visits Washington
Monday, June 1, 2009 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
TEL AVIV Ñ Israel stormed Jewish communities in the northern West Bank in exercises preparing for dismantling illegal settlements later this summer.
The Israel Army staged the simulated attacks to enhance the capabilities of military and police units to storm the communities, evict residents and destroy their homes. "The military and police have been ordered to prepare for a range of scenarios involving the dismantling of unauthorized outposts," a military source said.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak had ordered the military to submit the demolition program by the time he left for the United States on June 1. Barak was expected to meet senior U.S. officials from the administration of President Barack Obama at a time of change in Israeli relations with Washington.
On June 1, as Barak arrived in the United States, a force of several hundred Israeli police officers stormed Jewish communities in the northern West Bank. There were no reports of resistance.
On May 27, the army and Border Guard conducted a joint exercise that simulated an attack on an unauthorized Jewish community in the West Bank. The border police stormed the community while reserve army units conducted perimeter defense.
The exercise was comprised of a blue force and red force. The red force, representing Jewish resisters, threw bottles toward the attacking border guard units.
"Border Guard units in Judea and Samaria [West Bank] routinely train for all scenarios and missions they encounter, ranging from terrorism to crime to riots and more," the Border Guard said in a statement. "The concerned training session is part of the same annual training program."
But officials acknowledged that the Defense Ministry has been coordinating plans to destroy up to 22 unauthorized Jewish communities in the West Bank by August 2009. They said the operational plans were drafted by the military's Central Command, responsible for the West Bank, and would be relayed to Barak.
Military sources said the plans by Central Command called for Border Guard and special police troops to storm Jewish communities slated for destruction. They said the operation to evict an estimated 2,000 Israelis would involve at least two stages and last between one and two weeks.
"We are expecting violence from some of the settlers," the source said.