THE NAQAB, January 18, 2017 (WAFA) – A Palestinian was killed and many were injured, including an Arab lawmaker, on Wednesday during intense clashes with Israeli police in the village of Um al-Heiran, in the Naqab, southern Israel, according to a statement by the Higher Steering Committee of the Arabs of the Naqab.

The clashes erupted after Israeli police accompanied bulldozers entered the Arab village to evict its residents and demolish its 12 homes.

The statement said Yacoub Abu al-Qeean was shot dead by Israeli police during the attempt to demolish the village.

Ayman Odeh, head of the Arab Joint List with 13 members in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, was among those injured by police.

The steering committee accused the government of Benjamin Netanyahu of committing a crime against the Arabs in Israel.

“What happened this morning in Um al-Heiran is a hideous crime and the Netanyahu right-wing extremist government should be held responsible for this disastrous policy, which is after our existence and future in the Naqab and elsewhere in the country,” said the statement. “We have warned many times against repercussions from this foolish and racist policy."

According to witnesses, Abu al-Qeean was driving his car in the area where people have gathered to stop Israeli police and bulldozers from entering the village.

He apparently hit a police officer, who later died of his wounds, according to the police, before he was shot dead.

K.T./M.K.