NABLUS, Thursday, August 15, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers attacked the village of Orif, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, after failing to set fire to local farmers’ land, said a local activist.

Ghassan Daghles, an official in charge of the settlement file in the northern West Bank, said settlers attacked the village of Orif after residents managed to fend off their attempts to set fire to their land.

Clashes reportedly broke out in the eastern part of the village between residents and Israeli forces who intervened in support of the settlers and attacked the former with live ammunition and tear gas canisters. No injuries were reported.

Israeli settler violence against Palestinians and their property is commonplace in the West Bank and is rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities.

According to B’Tselem, the Israeli information center for human rights in the occupied territories, said Israeli security forces enable these actions, which result in Palestinians casualties – injuries and fatalities – as well as damage to land and property.”

In some cases, they even serve as an armed escort, or even join in the attacks. Investigations, if even opened, are usually closed with no action taken against perpetrators as part of an undeclared policy of leniency, said the center.

“The long-term effect of this violence is the dispossession of Palestinians from increasing parts of the West Bank, making it easier for Israel to take over land and resources,” said B’Tselem.

T.R.