11.   Settler spokesman Aharon Domb said settlers were prevented by police from establishing a new encampment near the settlement of Beit El, north of Jerusalem.

12.   Palestinians have stepped up renovations in the past year to prevent Jewish settlers from seizing empty neighboring houses in a bid to expand their enclaves.

13.   Soldiers and policemen formed a human chain around the area to prevent more settlers joining the squatters.

14.   Soldiers and policemen surrounded the apartments in the new Givat Yitzhak district to prevent more settlers joining the squatters.

15.   The Israeli army on Wednesday prevented Jewish settlers from farming land claimed by Palestinians in the Jordan Valley, military sources said.

16.   The official spoke after security forces on Tuesday dispersed Palestinian and left-wing Israeli protesters trying to prevent settlers from building new homes north of their Ephrat settlement.