Saturday Clashes Near Esh Kodesh Leave Several Injured (VIDEO)
by Zach Pontz
More than 200 Palestinian Arabs attacked Jewish residents of the Samarian village of Esh Kodesh Saturday, destroying vineyards and injuring several people.
The IDF reportedly confirmed the riot took place and also confirmed that one Palestinian man was taken to hospital by Red Crescent ambulance.
Esh Kodesh spokesman Aron Katsof said 12 outpost residents were injured as a result of the attack, including one who was treated in the hospital and then released.
Hella Mann of Esh Kodesh told the Jerusalem Post that the three-hour event began when a number of people from the outpost went for a walk past a contested field that sits outside the village.
Palestinians observed them and within minutes, it seemed as if hundreds arrived and began to throw stones.
“It was as if they were organized and waiting,” Mann said.
A military order allows Palestinians to plow the field near the outpost to which both they and Esh Kodesh residents claim ownership.
Twice last week, Esh Kodesh residents had confrontations with Palestinians who were plowing the field. In the first incident they held a picnic on the field, and were forcibly removed by the IDF and Border Police. Katsof said that security forces used tear gas and stun grenades against them.
In the second incident women from Esh Kodesh tried to stand in front of the Palestinians, but were removed by security forces.