An Israeli woman suffered serious burns on Wednesday after setting fire to herself and running towards a police checkpoint to protest against the historic pull-out of Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip, police said.
The 54-year-old Russian immigrant settler from the northern West Bank doused herself in flames in southern Israel, not far from the border with Gaza, and was rushed to hospital in the town of Beersheva, spokesperson Avi Zelba said.
”She had been staying near the roadblock most of the morning and police officers had been giving her water because of the heat. Suddenly she put herself on fire and started to run to the roadblock to protest against disengagement,” he said.
Another police source said she sustained 50% to 60% burns.
The roadblock seals off one of the roads leading to the main Jewish settlement bloc of Gush Katif in southern Gaza.
Settlers were being dragged kicking and screaming from Gaza after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon issued final orders to clear all remaining Jews from the Palestinian territory following a 38-year occupation. — Sapa-AFP