TEL AVIV, Israel -- Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens Monday ordered the dismantlement of an unauthorized Jewish settlement on the West Bank in a crackdown against Rabbi Meir Kahane's militant Kach group.
The area around the settlement, El Nakam, which means 'Vengeful God' in Hebrew, was declared a 'restricted military area,' Israel radio said.
The radio said soldiers were ordered to take down the tent settlement after residents agreed to leave. The settlement, located near the Arab town of Hebron, was set up last spring.
A spokewoman for Kach, the Israeli branch of the U.S.-based Jewish Defense League, said the settlement members were not going to budge.
The move came following the arrest of four Kach members on charges of firing at Palestinian homes in Hebron and on Arab vehicles on West Bank roads. The radio said Arens made the decision 'to safeguard security and public order.'
Besides the attacks on Palestinians, police and the Shin Beth secret service have been attempting to link Kach to the death of Peace Now demonstrator Emil Grunzweig Feb 10 in a grenade attack outside Prime Prime Minister Menabhem Begin's office in Jerusalem.
Grunzweig was among thousands of protesters who demanded the removal of Ariel Sharon as defense minister in compliance with the recommendations of the Beirut massacre inquiry. Sharon stepped down Feb. 12.
