Israel ejects Palestinian tent protesters

Israeli police force Palestinians out of a tent city in the West Bank.

About 100 protesters erected the outpost on occupied land to protest Israeli plans for a settlement in the E1 area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the evacuation order after a Supreme Court ruled Friday that the tent city could stay for six days while the issue was being considered.

But police said protesters could be removed although the tents would stay.

Pushing and small scuffles ensued early Sunday although an Israeli police spokesman said there were no injuries.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MICKY ROSENFELD, ISRAELI POLICE SPOKESMAN, SAYING:

"And the operation took place after the government and court order was handed out and given to those that trespassed in the area that was illegal place for them to be. Until now there has been no injuries to either our police officers or any of the Palestinian protesters."

The protesters had set up the tents Friday in an effort to preserve the land for a future Palestinian state.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) PALESTINIAN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER AND FORMER MINSTER OF INFORMATION, MUSTAFA BARGHOUTHI, SAYING:

"What you see here is the best and most beautiful act of non-violent resistance. We are encountering the Israeli illegal settlements with building settlements on stolen Palestinian land by building on our own land."

The international community has condemned Netanyahu's plans to expand settlements and build in the sensitive area following U.N. recognition of the Palestinian Authority last year.