8 officers wounded during Beit El riots
Settlers hurl blocks, light bulb paint grenades and stones at police, Civil Administration forces who came to demolish two building foundations set up in violation of freeze orders
Large police forces, Special Patrol Unit officers and Civil Administration personnel arrived in Beit El Tuesday morning.
After demolishing the building foundations the forces were attacked by 150 locals who tried to block their exit.
The rioters hurled blocks, light bulb paint grenades and stones at the forces and attempted to puncture their cars' tires. Four settlers were arrested for assaulting officers.
MK Michael Ben Ari (National Union) claimed that officers were the ones exercising violence during house razings. "(Defense Minister Ehud) Barak sends soldiers with paintball guns to fight terrorists and arms special Patrol forces with batons and gas to beat settlers," he said.
Police sources described the incident as extremely violent and noted that local residents tried to release the detainees by force.
Last month IDF and Civil Administration forces razed illegal concrete foundations of four buildings in the Bat Ayin community and confiscated two containers of building materials. No conflicts were noted.
