Arabs have once again set fire to the wheat fields of Yitzhar, residents of the town said. The fields were not planted this year due to the farmers' observing Shemitta. However, they said, Arabs have been doing this for several years, in the fall and the spring, with no action by the authorities. The Arabs, residents of a neighboring village, were able to cause thousands of shekels in damage several years ago when they set a fire a week before the harvest.

The latest fire was set Friday, minutes before Shabbat. A volunteer fire brigade made up of Yitzhar residents put the fire out, but were attacked by Arabs rioting and throwing stones at them. A contingent of IDF soldiers arrived on the scene to restore order.