Far-right settler youth clash with border police at West Bank outpost

At least two wounded; officer throws stun grenade at group he says threatened his life

By ToI Staff 21 July 2021, 2:43 am

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Medics treat wounded settlers after a clash with Border Police near the West Bank outpost of Kumi Ori on July 20, 2021 (Courtesy)

Border Police clashed with extremist settler “hilltop” youths near a West Bank settlement late Tuesday, with two people reportedly lightly hurt.

Police said that they were attempting to stop several youths going to a hilltop near the Kumi Ori outpost, which has been declared a closed military zone following several violent clashes at the site.

Officers said one of the youths started to attack them so they were forced to physically remove him. Several other youths then surrounded the officers, leading one officer to throw a stun grenade.

Police said the officer feared for his life.

However, settlers said the incident started when the officers threw one youth to the floor and pressed a rifle to his chest.

Settlers said at least two of the youths needed medical treatment.

Kumi Ori, one of a number of outposts outside the Yitzhar settlement in the northern West Bank, has been the scene of frequent clashes between police and settlers.

The closed military zone was put in place in Kumi Ori two years ago, following a string of violent attacks on Palestinians and security forces perpetrated by a number of young settlers from the area.