Settler group threatens American, European diplomats in Ramallah

Palestine News Network - European and American diplomats in Ramallah told the London-based al-Hayat newspaper that a group of settlers handed them letters last Thursday threatening them over their position on settlements as crossed a military checkpoint into the city.

The letter, obtained by al-Hayat, reads as follows:

“Dear diplomats, You are guests in our land. You are standing on the sacred land of the Jewish nation. Do not interfere with [settlement] building on our land. Interference from the American government and the European Union puts your presence here at risk. Go back to your countries and face the facts. We will not make peace with Palestinian terrorists.” The letter concluded, “President Barack Hussein Obama, and friends like you, need enemies.”

The diplomats, who refused to be named, told al-Hayat, “The settlers handed threatening letters to all the diplomats coming from Jerusalem to their offices in Ramallah as they stood in line at the military checkpoint east of the city, near the Bethel settlement.” The hand-over took place in direct view of Israeli soldiers, according to the diplomats.

The diplomats said they were worried for their lives on account of the threats. One of them told al-Hayat, “I’ve worked here for years and I was working here during the Intifada years. This is the first time I have been threatened. I will be more cautious moving between Jerusalem and Ramallah.”

Other diplomats said they would avoid daily travel in the area in question.

Many Western diplomats work in Ramallah but live with their families in Jerusalem, which forces them to make daily trips between the two cities on roads used by settlers....
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