JERICHO: Israeli occupation forces detained three peace activists in the Arab al-Melihat Bedouin community, located northwest of Jericho after they tried to prevent colonists from herding sheep in local farmers’ pastures.

Hassan Malihat, the general supervisor of the Al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Bedouin Rights, reported that Israeli forces stormed the community and detained the activists for attempting to safeguard citizens’ property, including pastures and fodder.

The occupation forces also confiscated a private vehicle belonging to the activists.

The general supervisor of Al-Baydar Organization said this attack comes in the context of colonists’ escalation against the area. The area has recently been subjected to a series of attacks, the latest of which was the poisoning of dozens of sheep belonging to one of the families in the community.

He slammed such attacks as part of the occupation’s efforts to tighten the noose on the Bedouin communities, with the aim of emptying West Bank areas cla
ssified as “C”.

He called for increased international support to protect civilians and counter such attacks.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA