Police arrested two settlers Sunday on suspicion of attacking an Israeli military officer and a soldier with tear gas near an illegal West Bank outpost last week.
According to the military, the incident occurred after the soldier and officer, along with representatives of the Ramallah District Coordination and Liaison Office, arrived at the Adi Ad outpost after receiving reports of an attack against Palestinians.
The reports said, according to an eyewitness, that settlers has set fire to and vandalized Palestinian harvest.
Arik Ascherman, a left-wing activist who was present at the scene, said that the liaison officer had arrived to speak to the Palestinian farmer who had witnessed the arson. Ascherman said that about 10 settlers arrived at the scene are began shouting at the officer: “How did you bring him to our home.” The Palestinian who was speaking with the soldiers was also sprayed with tear gas, Ascherman said.
Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi vehemently condemned the violence against security forces by Israeli nationals in the West Bank.
“Criminal offenses against IDF soldiers by civilians is intolerable and requires that justice be served swiftly and severely. I support the soldiers’ important work in maintaining security,” Kochavi said.
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The Israeli rights group Yesh Din said on Friday that a Palestinian family had been attacked by about 40 settlers while harvesting olives in the West Bank village of Yasuf.
The assailants hurled stones at the family and pepper-sprayed one of the women, who said the attackers also stole items including her ID card, Yesh Din said in a statement.
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