Major General Avi Blut Declares Taybeh a Closed Military Zone Amid Criticism from Left-Wing Groups
Central Command Chief Major General Avi Blut signed a closed military zone order for the town of Taybeh near Ramallah, citing the inability of the IDF and police to curb radical right-wing activists. Left-wing groups claim settlers exploited the order to target a local family.
The "Wild East": Central Command Chief Major General Avi Blut is facing harsh criticism, this time from left-wing organizations. On Monday, Major General Blut signed an order declaring the area of Taybeh, near Ramallah, a closed military zone.
The order was issued due to the inability of the IDF, the Shin Bet, and the police to maintain order in the region, where radical right-wing activists frequently target local residents. The IDF decided to declare the town a closed military zone to enable security forces to take action against these activists.
According to Israeli left-wing groups and Palestinian reports, in the hours following the order, two settlers exploited the restriction—which prevents the presence of Israeli activists who provide protection—to invade a Palestinian family's residential compound with a herd of goats. They reportedly destroyed property, disconnected the electricity system, and emptied the family's water tank.
Left-wing representatives stated that activists called the police on behalf of the mother of the family. However, according to testimonies, police and IDF forces did not arrive at the scene, failed to prevent the damage, and did not arrest any suspects.
