Fire Set in Benjamin Hills, Israeli Volunteers Attacked as They Tried to Put It Out

Photo: Binyamin Regional Council Arab assailants set a fire in grazing land at Sela HaRimon Farm in Benjamin, and then tried to blame Israeli volunteers who came to extinguish it

Naomi Rachlis 16:01 7 20 1

Arab assailants set a large fire in the grazing areas of Sela HaRimon Farm, located north of the town of Taybeh in Benjamin, on Tuesday evening at around 8:00 p.m. Israeli volunteers who arrived to bring the blaze under control were attacked with stones by Palestinian rioters. Despite one volunteer being injured, they continued with the firefighting efforts.

Photo: Binyamin Regional Council

The volunteers succeeded in fully bringing the fire under control using a fire truck, beaters and blowers, thereby preventing further damage to the grazing areas and the natural surroundings. Footage from the scene clearly shows the volunteers carrying out firefighting operations, as they arrived there in order to protect the environment from the arson.

One Israeli was lightly injured during the attack.

After the fire was extinguished, however, an attempt began to turn reality on its head and spread a serious false accusation. Figures in the town of Taybeh published false claims that the settlers themselves had set the fire. Al Jazeera even quoted the mayor of Taybeh as saying that, "Settlers burned an entire hill from the village's lands last night," in an effort to create a false narrative against the settlement enterprise.

Al Jazeera publication | Screenshot

The Binyamin Regional Council responded, "We vehemently reject the attempt to spread false information and support the volunteers who acted with courage and responsibility. The Binyamin Regional Council will continue working to rehabilitate and develop the open areas, to protect nature and wildlife in the region, and for the benefit of all residents of the area."