Settlers hurl stones at contractors visiting Beit El as part of preparations for evacuation

Settlers hurled stones at Defense Ministry sub-contractors who visited the Beit El´s Ulpana neighborhood as part of preparations for an evacuation scheduled to be carried out by July 1. The contractors left the scene. There were no injuries.

Earlier on Wednesday, Beit El´s rabbi Zalman Melamed called for counter measures as talks between the settlers and the government reached a deadlock. "We call on the public, Knesset members and Land of Israel faithfuls to join a determined struggle with devotion and willingness to make sacrifices."

Sources close to the rabbi said that "when he says ´devotion´ he means it." They said the affair could deteriorate into a second and worse case of Amona. "Netanyahu has failed to meet his obligations and has done little to try and reach a compromise."

Harel Cohen, the spokesman for MK Yaakov Katz and resident of the Ulpana neighborhood said, "There are no talks and the government has nothing to offer us. Obviously if 3,000 men in uniform, who we all know are quite violent, show up a massive clash could erupt." (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 06/13/12)