IDF jeep vandalized in West Bank settlement for second time in two days

Security forces suspect far-right activists carried out tire-slashing attack in Yitzhar; similar incident occurred Friday to jeep of visiting colonel.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN, JPOST.COM STAFF
Army vehicle with punctured tires, West Bank, January 10, 2014 (photo credit: IDF Spokesperson, Courtesy)
Army vehicle with punctured tires, West Bank, January 10, 2014
(photo credit: IDF Spokesperson, Courtesy)
Vandals targeted an IDF jeep for the second time in two days in the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar on Monday. The jeep's tires were slashed in what security forces suspect was a far-right attack.
The army condemned the incident as "the crossing of a red line."
"The IDF takes a grave view of any harm caused to army commanders and soldiers, conscripts or reserves, who work day and night to defend the residents of the state of Israel," the IDF Spokesman Unit said.
On Friday, the vehicle of Col. Yoav Yarom, commander of the IDF Samaria Regional Brigade, was vandalized by puncturing the tires during a visit he paid to the settlement of Yitzhar.
The IDF said it took a grave view of the incident, and Judea and Samaria police have launched an investigation.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu condemned Friday's incident, saying, “This criminal act does not represent the settlers in Judea and Samaria.”
“We won’t allow anyone to harm IDF soldiers or commanders. We will find these criminals and bring them to justice,” the prime minister promised.
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon echoed Netanyahu’s comments, saying he views the incident as a “grave and intolerable incident that demands the quick and determined attention of all bodies fighting this phenomenon, primarily our [attention] as a government.”
“Col. Yarom, like other commanders in the area, works tirelessly to protect the residents of the area and the other citizens of Israel, and damaging his vehicle is a despicable act done by a small group of lawbreakers who belong behind bars,” Ya’alon said.
Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon stressed the perpetrators of the attack were a minority, “a small bunch of cowards smearing the reputation of the settler population, that backs and contributes to the IDF.”