Israeli settlers and Palestinians clashed in the town of Huwara on Monday evening, a week after settlers rioted through the town, according to Palestinian reports.
At least five Palestinians were injured, including one who was hit in the head by a stone.
Israeli residents from the area reported that about 50 Palestinians in Huwara threw stones at Israeli vehicles driving in Huwara, damaging at least four vehicles. No injuries were reported.
"Dozens of Arabs gathered, some of them with bats. Soldiers stood by and did nothing."
Givat Ronen resident
"Dozens of Arabs gathered, some of them with bats. Soldiers stood by and did nothing," said a resident of Givat Ronen who drove through the town.
According to the Israeli residents, the settlers only came to the scene after the rocks were thrown.
According to Palestinian reports, settlers shot at a vehicle a Palestinian family was driving in the town as well. Video reportedly from the scene showed a bullet hole in the windshield and another part of the windshield smashed.
IDF soldiers, Israeli settlers dance to Purim music in Huwara
Surveillance camera footage from Huwara showed Palestinians running into a shop before Israelis ran towards the shop throwing rocks at the shop and at vehicles parked outside. The video showed the settlers surrounding a vehicle with Palestinians inside, smashing some of the windows and attempting to break in before the driver reversed and drove away.
Video footage reportedly from Huwara showed both IDF soldiers and settlers dancing to Purim music in the middle of the Palestinian town around the time of the clashes.
مستوطنون يرقصون وسط بلدة حوارة جنوب نابلس، بحراسة جنود الاحتلال. pic.twitter.com/dbwJRlkJNG
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) March 6, 2023
The IDF stated that it would investigate the matter of the dancing soldiers, adding that their behavior "does not align with what is expected from soldiers during operational activity." According to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, IDF soldiers and Border Police officers worked to disperse the clashes and were able to restore order.
"Another night of criminal violence by Jewish terrorists in Huwara," tweeted opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday evening. "These people do not represent us, they are not part of us. The militias of [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich and [National Security Minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir are the real anarchists. They must be arrested and prosecuted."
The Standing Together organization, which organized a solidarity visit to Huwara after the violence last week, stated on Tuesday that there is a "direct connection" between statements by Smotrich calling for Huwara to be "wiped out" and the ongoing violence in the town.
"This is what Israel's military control over thousands of Palestinian residents looks like, causing us all to lose our personal security. We have to stop this madness and get out of there," said Standing Together.
Last week, dozens of homes and vehicles in Huwara were torched by settlers hours after two Israelis, Hallel Menachem Yaniv and Yagel Ya’acov Yaniv, were murdered by a Palestinian terrorist in a shooting attack in the town.
The terrorist who committed that attack is still on the run.
Since the riots last week, extremist settler groups have called for further violence against the town, although up until Monday, Israeli forces largely succeeded in keeping settlers from rioting there again.
Signs put up in Huwara by settler activists on Sunday stated, “The intifada is already here” and “The Jews overcame their enemies,” a quote from the end of the Book of Esther that is read on Purim, which is being celebrated from Monday night to Wednesday evening.