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APN Condemns Settler Violence; Urges U.S. Jewish Groups to Weigh in

APN strongly condemned the West Bank settlers' violent attacks against Israeli law enforcement personnel, Palestinian civilians and Muslim holy sites.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 3, 2008
CONTACT:  Ori Nir -  (202) 728-1893

Washington, D.C. - Americans for Peace Now (APN) today strongly condemned the West Bank settlers' violent attacks against Israeli law enforcement personnel, Palestinian civilians and Muslim holy sites. APN calls on all American pro-Israel organizations to join its condemnation and to use their influence to stop the settlers' provocations.

In recent days, settlers in Hebron and throughout the West Bank have been clashing with Israeli troops and with Palestinians, in a premeditated attempt to deter the Israeli authorities from enforcing the law. Settlers have attacked and injured Israeli soldiers and police officers and damaged IDF property. They have also attacked and injured Palestinians, desecrated the Muslim cemetery in Hebron, sprayed offensive graffiti on the walls of West Bank mosques, and damaged Palestinian property and olive trees. Senior Israeli military commanders are warning that the settlers' violence might provoke Palestinian retaliation.

 "Israel's law enforcement authorities are trying to contain the settlers' violence and prevent further escalation. American Jewish organizations can play a role too. Many Jewish groups have close contacts with the settlers and with Israel's national-religious community, whether religious contacts, political, cultural or financial. All American Jewish groups should use their influence to help restrain the settlers," said Debra DeLee, APN's president and CEO. "If we can play a role in saving lives and preventing bloodshed - modest as this role may be - we must do it now."

DeLee said: "The Jewish teenager who was seriously injured yesterday in Hebron, reportedly during an attempt to break into a Palestinian-owned house, should be the last casualty of this ugly wave of violence."

APN, a Jewish, Zionist organization dedicated to enhancing Israel's security through peace and to supporting the Israeli Peace Now movement, has warned in recent months that the escalation in West Bank settlers' violence is jeopardizing Israel's national security and challenging its rule of law. APN called on America's pro-Israel community to denounce the settlers' unlawful actions, including the recent attempt to assassinate Zeev Sternhell, one of Peace Now's founding leaders, and the bounty that was offered for murdering Peace Now activists.