settler riot disrupts replanting of damaged olive trees March 19, 2011

Shortly after 9 am on March 19th, 201 approximately 25 settlers emerged form the illegal outpost of Havat Ma'on and moved among Palestinians who were grazing sheep and collecting herbs near the olive groves in Humra valley and in nearby Khoruba valley and on Khoruba hill. The settlers, several of whom were masked, shoved and kicked the villagers and their sheep and also internationals and Israeli peace activists who had come to assist in replanting the damaged olive trees.

Israeli soldiers and border police declared the area a closed military zone and discharged two percussion grenades in an attempt to force villagers to leave the area. Two Palestinian men were arrested and one elderly man, Fadil Ahmed Raba'i collapsed from respiratory distress and lost consciousness after soldiers pushed him to the ground and forcibly restrained him. Soldiers refused to allow the ambulance direct access and instead required the driver to take a detour, resulting in a 45 minute wait. Raba'i was transported to a hospital in the city of Yatta and released later that day. Two Palestinian men were arrested by border police and remain in custody. Israeli soldiers and border police did not arrest or detain settlers.