School Run Security For West Bank Children

22-11-2009
Israeli authorities are being urged to do more to protect Bedouin villagers in the West Bank after a series of attacks by Israeli settlers.

Military protection for Palestinian children on their way to and from school has been ordered by the Israeli Knesset after attacks by settlers near the settlement of Ma'on and outpost of Havat Ma'on.

But Palestinians say their children are still in danger.

The soldiers do not always turn up and they only escort the children some of the way, leaving them exposed to the risk of further attacks.

Sky News has acquired footage of masked settlers, armed with an iron bar and slingshot, approaching villagers in the vicinity of the two settlements. The video was was given to Sky by B'Tselem, and was filmed by a Palestinian as part of its camera project.

The Palestinian filming the incident shouts at others as they and their livestock come under a hail of stones.

Settlers have closed the main route through the area with a fence and Palestinians are forced to use far longer alternative routes but they are still at risk of harassment.

Palestinian children walk to school in West Bank
Palestinians forced to make longer journey as settlers fence off main route. Pics by Sameer Bazbaz

On Wednesday this week, two female volunteers - one Italian the other American - were attacked and robbed by settlers as they escorted a Palestinian couple with three small children near Havat Ma'on.

Laura Ciaghi told Sky News they were set upon by five settlers who assaulted the father of the family while his children screamed in fear.

Ms Ciaghi and her colleague were pushed to the ground and their camcorders were taken by their attackers.

"This incident is the consequence of years and years of attacks on Palestinians and internationals that authorities did nothing about," she said.

"The settlers are aware that there is total impunity.

"It is not a question of there just being a few bad apples. They are well covered and supported."

The Israeli police are investigating this latest incident.

The military says its school-run escort occasionally does not turn up for operational reasons but declined to comment on the failure to prevent years of settler attacks on Palestinians in the area.

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