World News
Israeli activists clash with settlers in West Bank while protecting Palestinian family
Members of the Jewish group Bnei Avraham were attacked by settlers near Bethlehem while clearing obstacles around a Palestinian home.
The short version
- About 30 Israeli activists, many from the religious Jewish movement Bnei Avraham, traveled to the West Bank village of Jannatah to protect a Palestinian family.
- A clash ensued when extremist Jewish settlers attacked the activists and journalists with stones, sticks, and pepper spray, leaving several injured.
- The incident highlights the growing friction in the West Bank between Jewish peace activists and hardline settlers who establish unauthorized outposts.
Key facts
- Around 30 activists, including members of the religious Jewish group Bnei Avraham, traveled to Jannatah near Bethlehem to clear road obstacles and build a protective fence for the Faraj family.[France 24]
- At least five activists and an AFP journalist were injured when settlers attacked them with stones, pepper spray, and a stick.[France 24]
- The activists' and journalists' vehicles were vandalized, leaving them with smashed windows and punctured tires.[France 24]
- The Faraj family has faced ongoing pressure from settlers; Mohammed Faraj was killed during clashes in March, and his family reports that no arrests have been made in connection with his death.[France 24]
- According to the activists, the nearby settler outpost of Kochav Yehuda has been dismantled by Israeli authorities 64 times and rebuilt each time, most recently on the Monday prior to the clash.[France 24]