Jewish settlers ran riot against Palestinians in the West Bank this morning, blocking traffic, burning crops and beating up journalists.
The settlers, furious at the Israeli government's continued restraint after the killing of three settlers since Monday despite a ceasefire, brandished placards calling on the authorities to act.
The incidents happened near Ramallah, in the northern West Bank, where crops were burned, east of Bethlehem, where Palestinian cars were stoned, and in the Hebron area, where two Palestinian journalists were beaten, the witnesses said.
Israeli military radio said the army had advised settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories to travel in convoys or in armoured vehicles on two West Bank roads.
The aim is to reduce the risks of attacks and enable settlers to return fire in case of ambush by Palestinians, it said.
The daily Yediot Aharonotsaid the military also planned to use pilotless reconnaissance aircraft to spot Palestinians about to commit suicide attacks, following them up with combat helicopters.
The existence of the settlements, which have been declared illegal by the UN, is one of the main bones of contention in the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.
AFP