Settlers vandalize Muslim graves after IDF razes outpost

Settlers smashed headstones and poured paint over graves at a Muslim cemetery near the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Arba on Sunday, after Israeli security forces evacuated a nearby illegal outpost earlier in the day. Right-wing activist Noam Federman had established the outpost, a farm, which was evacuated by contingents of the Israel Defense Forces, the Border Police and police earlier Sunday. IDF tractors demolished the outpost after its residents had been evacuated. Rightists came to the site and threw stones at the security forces in response to the evacuation. A number of them were arrested for attacking a police officer, and two young women were arrested after they tried to set a police car alight. During the rioting, settlers hurled abuse at the members of the security forces, called for a "revenge attack" against them. "We hope they will be defeated by their enemies, that they will all be [kidnapped IDF soldier] Gilad Shalit, that they will all be killed and all slaughtered because this is what they deserve," they said. In addition to vandalizing the graves, settlers also damaged over 80 Palestinian vehicles by smashing windows and puncturing tires. Two police cars were damaged during the altercations. Settlers, for their part, argued that security forces carried out the evacuation without a preliminary order and that they did not give the outpost's residents time to pack up their belongings. Olmert: Anyone inciting violence against troops belongs in jail The settlers' calls for violence against the security forces drew fire from outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting. "I've ordered Ministers Dichter and Friedman to manage the procedures against these people, whoever expresses himself in such a manner belongs in jail. We've had enough of all this violence: Verbal violence that brings physical violence - and we will not abide this," he said. Olmert was referring to Public Security Minister Avi Dichter and Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann. Defense Minister Ehud Barak joined the premier in his condemnation, calling for right-wing extremists to receive harsher punishments for such outbursts. Vice Premier Haim Ramon also attacked the phenomenon. "Everyone who this morning called for violence against IDF soldiers must be arrested immediately," he said. "If an Arab had urged on the radio for attacks against IDF soldiers he would have already been arrested long ago - [our] behavior must be exactly the same toward the settlers." The Yesha settlement council, for its part, also issued a condemnation of the verbal attacks, branding those responsible for them "troublemakers." (Haaretz)