Two Relatives of Ultra-Orthodox MK Testify in Police Over Violent Clashes Near Gush Etzion Settlement
Two nephews of an ultra-Orthodox Knesset member are currently giving testimony to police following violent clashes near the ultra-Orthodox settlement of Mitzad in the Gush Etzion bloc. The incidents erupted after a group of ultra-Orthodox hikers mistakenly entered the outskirts of the Palestinian village of Sa'ir, where they were met by dozens of Palestinians who began throwing stones at them. Security forces were called, and the Mitzad security coordinator was attacked with a rock by one of the Palestinians. He responded by firing warning shots and then shooting at several Palestinians who he claimed endangered civilians with stone-throwing. Two Palestinians were hit, one fatally and one injured.
Palestinians alleged the group was not innocent hikers but settlers intending to set fire to a building under construction in the village. Subsequently, a fire broke out in the Palestinian structure, forcing the evacuation of a 65-year-old man due to smoke inhalation. Police have launched an investigation into the arson and are examining suspicions that Jewish residents committed it in retaliation for the injured hikers.
Mitzad, home to about 150 families and undergoing significant expansion with a new project expected to increase its population to around 450 families, has been a hotspot for violence in recent months. Last month, a large fire near the settlement destroyed approximately 600 dunams and was determined to be arson. Additionally, violent disturbances have occurred during demolition operations of illegal structures nearby, involving stone-throwing, iron rod attacks, and vehicle arson, resulting in injuries to several Border Police officers.
In a separate incident, an Arab worker employed by the Civil Administration attacked a Jewish man with an iron rod, causing minor head injuries. The assailant was arrested, and the victim received medical treatment and was conscious upon evacuation. The ongoing tensions highlight the volatile security situation around the expanding ultra-Orthodox settlement in the West Bank.
