Hundreds of settlers attempt to seize Palestinian land in Nablus

More than 50 Israeli settler families and hundreds of youths gathered yesterday on Palestinian land near the West Bank city of Nablus calling for it to be annexed it to their illegal settlement, Felesteen newspaper reported.

The Palestinian land is located between two illegal settlements known as Itmar and Alon Moriah. The settlers called for building a settlement on the land because the settlement firm Hatmona bought it from its Palestinian owners 40 years ago.

Several Israeli officials and members of the Knesset took part in the gathering, including Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, Member of the Knesset Miki Zohar and Oren Hazan.

The settlers said they would remain on the land until the Israeli government agreed to confiscate the land to build a settlement.