Clashes broke out on Shabbos between Israelis and Arabs in the area of the villages of Qusra and Jalud in Binyamin.

According to the Binyamin Regional Council, the incident began when Israelis conducting a security patrol encountered dozens of masked Arabs from Qusra wielding stones and clubs. Footage from the scene shows Arabs hurling stones at the Israelis as journalists from foreign media outlets stood behind them documenting the events. The Jews said that the Arabs also blocked access roads with rocks and burning tires in an attempt to prevent IDF forces from quickly reaching the scene. The initial attack subsequently escalated into a confrontation in which both sides threw stones. Several Palestinians were injured during the clashes,

However, the IDF presented a different version of the incident, saying that several Israelis threw stones at Palestinians and later entered a home in the village and barricaded themselves inside while members of a Palestinian family were present in the home. Large numbers of IDF and Border Police forces were dispatched to the scene. The forces were required to act urgently to extract the Israelis from the house in which they had barricaded themselves. The IDF said that no arrests have been made at this stage and that law enforcement authorities are thoroughly investigating all the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Conversely, Jewish Binyamin residents claim that some of the settlers entered an abandoned structure farther up the hill and continued throwing stones from there, while the IDF described the location as a residential home occupied by members of a Palestinian family. The Binyamin Regional Council condemned the violence and called on the security forces to investigate everyone involved in the incident and bring the Arabs to justice who were filmed throwing stones at Jews.

Jewish residents also sharply criticized the IDF Spokesperson’s statement and the media coverage, saying that the incident was presented in a one-sided manner while the residents, because it was Shabbos, were unable to respond in real time. They added that the incident was a planned Arab provocation intended to smear the settlement movement and undermine the struggle for control of the area.

At this stage, conflicting accounts remain regarding the sequence of events, and the IDF said that all reports and allegations are being examined as part of the investigation into the incident.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the violence. “I strongly condemn the criminal acts of violence committed in the villages of Qusra and Jalud by a handful of rioters who are breaking the law, causing tremendous harm to the law-abiding settler public, interfering with the IDF in carrying out its missions and harming Israel’s standing in the world,” he said.

According to Netanyahu, the security forces confiscated three vehicles and brought the incident to an end within a short time. “The IDF, Shin Bet and police are conducting an intensive investigation on the ground, and I expect law enforcement authorities to arrest the rioters and bring them to justice as soon as possible,” he added.

President Isaac Herzog also issued a strong condemnation: “I strongly condemn the serious acts of violence in Qusra. This is the crossing of a red line by lawbreakers acting in complete contradiction to the laws and values of the State of Israel. This is another in a series of incidents that are a stain on Israel and demand firm and decisive action.”

Herzog added: “I commend the IDF, which is doing its utmost. The government, security agencies, judicial system and law enforcement authorities must use every tool at their disposal and act in full coordination to root out this reprehensible phenomenon and bring the rioters to justice.”

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)