Clashes in West Bank (Archive)
Photo: AP
Settlers, Palestinians clash in West Bank
IDF claims Palestinians tried to plough land that did not belong to them, arrests Palestinian farmer
Palestinian sources reported that settlers from the illegal West Bank outpost of Mitzpe Asael clashed with Palestinians from a nearby village Saturday, as well as left-wing activists who were with them.
The sources also said the IDF has detained a Palestinian tractor driver.
Op-Ed
Gadi Taub
Settlers replace moral heritage of prophets with Joshua Ben Nun’s sword
The IDF stated in response that a group of Palestinians and activists arrived at the settlement and began to plough fields that did not belong to them.
An army patrol declared the area a closed military zone and dispersed all parties involved.
However the Palestinians claim that the land belongs to residents of the village, and that the settlers were responsible for picking a fight. The sources say they arrived with dogs that attacked the farmers.
The IDF arrested a Palestinian tractor farmer who refused to leave the area after it had been declared a closed military zone. He has been taken in for questioning.
The Palestinians claim Saturday's incident was one of many, in which settlers invade their land and begin a conflict destined to end in the declaration of a closed military zone.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this report
