Palestinian activists are trying to fill the void following Israel's expulsion of an international observer force from a volatile West Bank city by launching their own patrols to document alleged Israeli settler violence.
The activists in Hebron don blue vests and are armed with video cameras.
They say they'll replace the mission called Temporary International Presence in Hebron in filming and documenting "violations" committed by the Israeli military and settlers in the city.
In this Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019 photo, Palestinian observers, right, watch as children walk past Israeli soldiers on their way to school in the West Bank city of Hebron. Following Israel's expulsion of an international observer force from this volatile West Bank city, Palestinian activists are trying to fill the void by launching their own patrols to document alleged Israeli settler violence. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed)
The group, which began its work this week, has enlisted 18 volunteers and plans to operate permanently in the absence of international observers.
Hebron is a frequent flashpoint between settlers and Palestinians. Over 200,000 Palestinians live in the city, along with several hundred ultranationalist Israeli settlers who live in heavily fortified enclaves protected by the military.
In this Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019 photo, A Palestinian observers, right, watches as children walk past Israeli soldiers on their way to school in the West Bank city of Hebron. Following Israel's expulsion of an international observer force from this volatile West Bank city, Palestinian activists are trying to fill the void by launching their own patrols to document alleged Israeli settler violence. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed)
In this Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019 photo, an Israeli settler, left, takes a picture of a Palestinian observer as he watches over children walking to school in the West Bank city of Hebron. Following Israel's expulsion of an international observer force from this volatile West Bank city, Palestinian activists are trying to fill the void by launching their own patrols to document alleged Israeli settler violence. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed)