Photos: Israeli Forces Remove Palestine Tents in West Bank [PHOTOS]
By Vasudevan Sridharan | Jan 13, 2013 06:43 PM EDT
Israeli forces have removed the tents erected by Palestine and international activists from the controversial West Bank region over the latest settlement plans.
In a move that is likely to trigger riots in the restive region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the eviction of nearly 250 Palestinian activists from the sensitive E1 region.
The activists had pitched around 20 tents to protest against Israel's latest settlement proposal.
The eviction has come in the wake of the Israeli Supreme Court allowing the encampment to stay for six days amid growing concern. The forces removed the tents within two hours of the court order and the activists were taken in a bus to nearby places.
Defiant protesters initially refused to vacate forcing Israeli security men to evict them.
According to activists, nearly half a dozen people were injured during the eviction process; Israeli forces denied this.
"Everyone was evacuated carefully and swiftly, without any injuries to officers or protesters," said police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld.
Local media reports suggest that one of the tents was torched by the activists following rumours that Israeli forces had attacked journalists.
"We intend to carry out the eviction without the use of force. But we shall act with determination against anyone who partakes in riots and jeopardises the security forces," said a police statement.
Netanyahu's proposal for building housing settlements in the E1 region has evoked strong responses from western powers including its staunch ally, the US.
The West Bank and East Jerusalem are home to nearly 2.5 million Palestinians and 500,000 Israelis.
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Israeli border police remove a Palestinian from an outpost of tents in an area known as E1, near Jerusalem
Source: Reuters Date:01/13/2013
Israeli border police remove a Palestinian from an outpost of tents in an area known as E1, near Jerusalem
Source: Reuters Date:01/13/2013
Israeli border police remove a Palestinian from an outpost of tents in an area known as E1, near Jerusalem
Source: Reuters Date:01/13/2013
Israeli border police are seen as they remove Palestinians from an outpost of tents in an area known as E1, near Jerusalem
Source: Reuters Date:01/13/2013
Israeli border police are seen as they remove Palestinians from an outpost of tents in an area known as E1, near Jerusalem
Source: Reuters Date:01/13/2013
Israeli border police search an outpost of tents as they prepare to evacuate Palestinian protesters from the scene in an area known as E1, near Jerusalem
Source: Reuters Date:01/13/2013
Palestinian activists set up tents near the E1 settlement area outside Jerusalem
Source: Reuters Date:04/23/2013
