Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Palestinian Vigilantes Patrol Villages Amid Fear of More Arson Attacks

 
Reuters, 11/08 18:15 CET

By Hassan Titi

QUSRA, West Bank (Reuters) – Armed men stopping cars at checkpoints in the West Bank are usually Israeli security forces policing the occupied territory, but in some areas they are Palestinian civilians patrolling their own villages.

Fears of attacks by far-right Jews have increased since a Palestinian man and his 18-month-old son were killed when their house in Duma village was set ablaze on July 31, giving the farmers-turned-volunteer watchmen a renewed sense of urgency.

“They used to break glass, damage houses, and torch the mosque and vehicles,” said Abed al-Atheim Adi, mayor of the village of Qusra where locals have been patrolling the streets at night since 2001.

“The youths in the village formed teams to defend the rights of their children and families and provide more protection at night,” said Adi.

Full article available here: Palestinian Vigilantes 

Source: Euronews

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