Palestinian village targeted in apparent ‘revenge’ hate crime

Police opened an investigation into an apparent hate crime in the Palestinian village of al-Khader where some 300 grapevines were chopped down and Hebrew slogans were found spray-painted at the scene Thursday.

Photos from the vineyard showed the phrases “revenge” and “enough of the agricultural terror” graffitied on wooden placards lying on the ground. The latter message was referring to a number of incidents in recent months where settler farmers had their fields targeted with vandalism they attribute to Palestinians. However, the bulk of the dozens of reported attacks in the West Bank in recent months have targeted Palestinians.

Last week in the northern West Bank Palestinian town of Urif, Hebrew hate slogans were found spray-painted on a number of buildings and two cars had their tires slashed.

Graffitied phrases included “Enemies live here. Expel or kill” and “Jews will not stay silent,” in addition to a biblical verse about vengeance.

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The incident came two days after a similar crime was reported in the neighboring Palestinian village of Burqa, where vandals chopped down dozens of grapevines and fig trees.

The Hebrew phrases “Enough with the agricultural terror” and “We will reach every place” were found spray-painted on the access road near the entrance to the town.

Police opened investigations into both incidents, but no arrests have been made.