23 settlement activists arrested after march into Jericho

Police said that activists had attacked them.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF, YAAKOV LAPPIN
itamar ben-gvir 224.88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
itamar ben-gvir 224.88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Judea and Samaria police detained 23 right-wing activists on Tuesday who clashed with security personnel after the activists illegally entered the Jericho to pray at the Na’aran synagogue.
Far-right activist Itamar Ben-Gvir said that as of press time, a number of activists were still in the synagogue.
He said that the police used excessive force against the marchers and that six of them had been injured. Once they were in custody, he said, a driver threw stones at the protesters before they were forced to board his security vehicle so that they could be taken out of the city.
Police said that activists had attacked them.
The clashes marked the end of a three-day march, called “The Jewish Cities,” which began on Sunday at the Shvut Ami outpost near the Kedumim settlement in Samaria.
The IDF Spokesman’s Office said the marchers lacked the necessary permits.
“Security forces blocked their path [at the entry to Jericho], and the group rioted and broke through the security forces using violence,” the IDF said. “The group continued to riot, and security forces fired tear gas.”
Two demonstrators were slightly injured but did not require hospitalization. The activists were removed from Area A (under full Palestinian Authority control) and handed over to police in Ma’aleh Adumim.