Israel Matzav

Busted: Leftists caught cutting olive trees in Samaria

An undercover unit sponsored by the Jewish residents of Samaria photographed Leftists and 'Palestinians' cutting down olive trees on Friday near the Jewish town of Neve Tzuf. The 'vandalism' was then blamed on 'settlers.'

Photographs showing Palestinians and leftwing activists cutting down Palestinian olive trees using an electric saw were released on Saturday by a group claiming the images were part of a campaign to accuse settlers of vandalism.

Ynet reported that the photos, taken on Friday near Neveh Tzuf, were made by Tazpit Unit members, an organization identified with the settlers which documents news events in the territories.

Tazpit photographer Ehud Amiton told Ynet that the olive grove was located east of Beit Zayit, located near Route 60.

“I immediately saw that it was no ordinary pruning. It was done very aggressively... Some of the branches broke, and other trees were cut off entirely. When I approached closer with my camera, the Palestinian man waved his saw at me threateningly. I felt uneasy, so I backed off,” Amiton said.


Tazpit unit director Amotz Eyal told Ynet that “during every olive harvest season, just like this one, there are many cases of Arab farmers cutting down olive branches and later blaming it on the settlers.

“Time after time, photos prove that these Arabs are not holding back; they provoke in order to tarnish the image of Jewish settlers,” he said.

More on the self-inflicted vandalism and more photos here.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:34 PM