4 settlers held over clash with Palestinian villagers

Police took four Jewish settlers in for questioning after a clash with Palestinian villagers near the settlement of Yitzhar in the northern West Bank Wednesday.

The suspects were held for disturbing the peace after a confrontation between them and Palestinian olive pickers, police said in a statement.

An initial investigation found that the settlers may have begun the altercation after learning that rocks were thrown at an Israeli vehicle nearby.

According to the left-wing group Rabbis for Human Rights, Palestinians reported that a British activist and a Palestinian were injured in the altercation.

The settlers, RHR said, attacked Palestinians working in agricultural land between Burin and Hawara.

A security officer from one of the nearby settlements, either Har Bracha or Yitzhar, was said to have been among the settlers.

Palestinians said he fired in the air and started a fire in the field.

In its statement, the Israel Police said that “in light of the sensitive and tense situation, it is important to emphasize that no one has the right to take the law into their own hands. That is the sole job of the police and security forces deployed in the field.

“Those who disturb the peace will be dealt with to the furthest extent of the law,” the statement read.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.