Settlers destroy olive trees in southern West Bank

Settlers destroy olive trees in southern West Bank Masked settlers hold sticks during skirmishes near the West Bank village of Immatin in 2010.(MaanImages/Rami Swidan) HEBRON (Ma’an) -- Israeli settlers destroyed dozens of olive trees in the Hebron town of Yatta on Sunday, a local official said. Ratib al-Jubrour, the coordinator of a local committee against settlements and the wall, said settlers from Ma'on damaged trees belonging to the al-Jabarin family. The attack is part of "ongoing criminal acts settlers practice against Palestinian citizens," he added. Israeli forces reportedly arrived at the scene and asked the family to file an official complaint. The land owners told Ma'an that there would be no point, as a complaint would be "mere ink on paper." Settler violence against Palestinians and their property is systematic in the West Bank. Over 90 percent of villages attacked by settlers are under Israeli security control, The Palestine Center says, meaning local Palestinians only have the official protection of an army which they claim ignores settler violence.

 Maan News Agency