First publication:

First publication:

Following the request of the Yesha Council chairman: Defense Minister Katz will work to expel extreme left-wing activists, including foreign activists from the organization that led the Gaza flotilla

With the opening of the olive harvest season this week in Judea and Samaria, and following preparations by extreme left-wing activists to arrive in the area, Binyamin Regional Council Head and Yesha Council Chairman Yisrael Gantz, on behalf of the heads of the authorities in Judea and Samaria, appealed to Defense Minister Yisrael Katz. Gantz requested to take action to prevent the arrival at the harvest areas of activists who come with the aim of creating provocations and clashes.

The appeal was made, among other things, against the backdrop of the announcement by the Global Sumud Flotilla organization, which led the Gaza flotilla in which Greta Thunberg participated, that it is recruiting foreign activists to come to Israel and operate in the harvest areas in Judea and Samaria, alongside field mobilizations of other organizations such as Go Palestine, Protect the Harvest, Faz3a, and the International Solidarity Movement.

Following the appeal, the Defense Minister instructed to work on issuing administrative restraining orders against activists whose activity is found to endanger order and security in the area.

Binyamin Regional Council Head and Yesha Council Chairman Yisrael Gantz: "The residents of Judea and Samaria are not props for campaigns by foreign activists. We saw the provocations in Gaza, and we must not allow them to reach Judea and Samaria as well. We will not allow extreme activists, Israelis or foreigners, to come to the area to create provocations and clashes. The harvest season will not become a tool for creating intentional friction on the ground.

I thank Defense Minister Yisrael Katz for his response and for his resolute action to maintain security and order."