Arabs attacked the city of Beit El with firebombs twice over the weekend, security forces reported Sunday. The first attack took place late on Friday night, when a group of Arab men, apparently residents of a nearby village, approached Beit El and threw a firebomb towards the city. The attack caused a fire and damaged a security fence.
Soldiers who witnessed the incident refrained from firing on the attackers. An officer later said that the attackers were standing 300 meters from the soldiers and did not pose a significant threat, so there was no reason to use force.
Following the incident, a group of Arab men returned and attacked the city again on Saturday night, this time throwing three firebombs. Soldiers did not open fire. Residents of Beit El expressed anger, saying that if soldiers continued to refrain from using force during firebomb attacks, the attacks would continue.