The Jewish settlement of Newe Daniel sits on a rocky hilltop in the West Bank overlooking the traditional site of the biblical battle between David and Goliath. That clash was between the ancient Israelites and the Philistines. In modern times, the territorial dispute is between the Jewish settlers and the Palestinians. In Newe Daniel, near Bethlehem and other Jewish settlements across the West Bank, residents have been spending millions of dollars on sophisticated military, rescue and medical equipment, in order to defend themselves in the event of a confrontation with the Palestinians.
Settlers claim their efforts are based on advice from the Israeli army.
Military brass have been warning in recent weeks that if the peace talks end without any agreement, there could be an armed showdown between the two sides, including the possible storming of settlements by the Palestinians. The settlements are considered illegal by the Palestinians, who claim the whole of the West Bank as part of a future independent state. But settlers say the area is part of the land promised to the Jews by God and Palestinians have no right to deny them their birthright. Mr Goldstein denied that the settlers were purchasing weapons, saying that their only firearms were those issued under the control of the Israeli army. He said the settlers were relying on the army to maintain security in the event of an uprising.