Youths stone IDF in Yasuf
Palestinians say clashes break out over torched mosque during MK Talab El-Sana's visit to area. Residents reportedly hurl stones at IDF soldiers, who respond with rubber bullets, teargas. IDF says force only fired shots in the air
Clashes broke out between residents of the Palestinian village of Yasuf and IDF forces in the area of the mosque that was torched on Friday, Palestinian sources reported.
According to the Palestinians, the clashes broke out during a visit by United Arab List –Ta'al MK Talab El-Sana activists from his party. The MK visited the site in a show of solidarity.
The IDF and Border Guard denied the Palestinian reports. The IDF said a military jeep entered the village to patrol it, and upon its exit, stones were hurled at the. The force responded with gunshots in the air and there were no injuries.
The Palestinians, however, claim that the soldiers fired rubber bullets and teargas at the stone throwers.
El-Sana met with residents of the village, official representatives and religious figures, in order to express his protest over the arson and the Israeli forces poor protection of the area.
During his visit, an IDF commander arrived at the site to continue the investigation of the arson. El-Sana asked the commander about the status of the investigation, but the commander responded saying he would be notified once the probe is concluded.
El-Sana accused the IDF of not doing enough to guard the mosque before it was set on fire.
On Sunday, rabbis and peace activists arrived at Tapuach junction near Yasuf where they transferred Quran books and cleaning aid to the Palestinians in an effort to help refurbish the torched mosque.
The IDF did not allow the delegation to enter the area, out of security concerns, and the two parties met on the road. The rabbis transferred the Qurans to the West Bank village via a Muslim cleric who came with them from Jerusalem.
Hanan Greenberg and Efrat Weiss contributed to this report
