BETHLEHEM, May 20, 2007, (WAFA)-Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) assaulted and arrested on Sunday a group of international activists in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, witnesses said.

They told WAFA that a group of Jewish colonisers, backed by Israeli soldiers, stormed Wadi Artas, south Bethlehem and began uprooting arable trees. They attacked and beaten international activists, who formed human chain to prevent them destroying the field.

Some activists were arrested and led into an unknown spot.

M.H.(09:15 P)(06:15 GMT)