Israel detains more Palestinians as settler violence and clashes continue in occupied West Bank

Israeli occupation forces have detained a further 12 Palestinians from Hebron and Bethlehem in raids which took place in the early hours of Monday morning. Local sources confirmed that most of the detainees are affiliated to the Islamic Jihad movement; not all have been identified yet, but all were taken away after their homes were searched by the Israelis. Witnesses said that a lot of damage was done during the process.

In Jenin, two Palestinians were arrested after the Israeli occupation forces broke into five homes. Both were taken to an unknown destination.

Meanwhile, the anti-Apartheid Wall activist Rateb al-Jabour said that a large group of illegal Israeli settlers attacked a car belonging to Shaher Hamamdeh, 40, who was in the vehicle at the time with his father, wife and children. The car was severely damaged in the attack which took place near Hebron, but no casualties were reported.

As they now do every week, hundreds of settlers entered Nablus and performed Talmudic rituals in the Tomb of Yusuf where they believe that a Jewish rabbi is buried. Historians have asserted on several occasions that the tomb is that of a tribal Palestinian chief. A small group of Palestinian children threw stones at the settlers’ buses; nobody was hurt.

Palestinian activists on prisoners’ issues have confirmed that the Israeli prison service organises trips for young settlers to the Negev Prison. It is alleged that officials at the prison explain to the settlers that the Palestinians are “terrorists” when they tour the facilities.