Disengagement opponents vandalize military equipment near Gaza

Opponents of the Israeli disengagement plan vandalized military equipment at an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base near the Gaza Strip Monday morning, Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported.

A group of 15 anti-disengagement activists approached the parking lot of the base, which will be likely used by the Israeli army during the implementation of the settlement evacuation set for mid-August, said the daily.

Upon arrival, the activists warned the guard on duty not to interfere and subsequently poured an oil-like substance on engineering equipment, spray-painting slogans of "A Jew doesn't expel a Jew," and "Sharon will not win."

Another group of disengagement foes vandalized tractors used for expanding an area in southwest Israel where a new neighborhood is being erected to house Gaza evacuees.

Among the slogans spray-painted onto equipment were "Sharon is a traitor."

Israeli police estimated the damage may be worth up to tens of thousands of shekels.

Israel is to withdraw forces and settlers from all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four out of 120 in the northern West Bank this summer under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan, which has encountered vehement opposition from right-wing activists.

Source: Xinhua