Arab riots (illustration)
Arab riots (illustration)Flash 90

Several Palestinian Arabs were injured early Monday during clashes with IDF soldiers in Shechem, the Bethlehem-based Maan News agency reported, citing “security officials and witnesses.”

According to the report, the IDF escorted over 300 Jews, traveling in seven buses, to Joseph's Tomb for religious prayers. At least 35 military vehicles accompanied the buses.

“Palestinians threw rocks and firebombs at Israeli soldiers during the incident, with soldiers firing tear gas and rubber-coated bullets,” wrote Maan.

Clashes broke out in several areas near the tomb and at Balata "refugee camp," with Muhammad Abu Halima, Salah Abu Rweis and Nabil al-Sirfi identified as those injured and a 16-year-old detained.

Israeli news sources reported that the IDF accompanied 14 buses of Jewish visitors who were going to pray at Joseph's tomb, not seven as Maan reported.

The report simply noted that the IDF guarded the entrance to Joseph's Tomb to enable prayers, which it said were held as normal. It did not mention the disturbances claimed by the Arab reports.