VIDEO / IDF soldiers protect Palestinian olive farmers from settlers [View All]

[shira]

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1032246.html

A group of Israel Defense Forces soldiers have been given what some may consider a surprising new assignment - protecting Palestinian olive farmers from settlers looking to disrupt the harvest.

The October olive harvest is generally a nerve-racking affair for Palestinian farmers in the West Bank, who must contend with increasing settler attacks meant to sabotage their labor.


In light of rising settler violence, the Tzabar Battalion of the Givati Brigade is now providing protection to Palestinian villagers near the particularly volatile settlement of Itamar.

The soldiers, who protect Palestinians by day and fight them by night, are therefore forced to contend with a dual role and a blurring of the lines between enemies and allies.