Clashes broke out when the demonstrators attempted to gain access to the village of Hirbet Atwani, south of the city of Hevron. Israeli security forces had earlier declared the area a closed military zone.
Over 100 left-wing activists were demonstrating against the construction of a section of a partition barrier that they claimed would block Arab access to agricultural lands and hinder the grazing of sheep.
Hevron police told Army Radio that demonstrators attacked Israeli security and military forces. The demonstrators reportedly beat policemen with sticks and used force to block attempts to make arrests.
Local Israeli residents claim that the proposed construction of the partition fence in the Hevron Hills area does not bolster security, as the fence would not serve as a deterrent to terrorist attacks. Tzviki Bar-Chai, Chairman of the Hevron Hills Regional Council, said he did not believe the fence would serve any security purposes, and "would not be relevant as protection against gunfire and the like."
Over 100 left-wing activists were demonstrating against the construction of a section of a partition barrier that they claimed would block Arab access to agricultural lands and hinder the grazing of sheep.
Hevron police told Army Radio that demonstrators attacked Israeli security and military forces. The demonstrators reportedly beat policemen with sticks and used force to block attempts to make arrests.
Local Israeli residents claim that the proposed construction of the partition fence in the Hevron Hills area does not bolster security, as the fence would not serve as a deterrent to terrorist attacks. Tzviki Bar-Chai, Chairman of the Hevron Hills Regional Council, said he did not believe the fence would serve any security purposes, and "would not be relevant as protection against gunfire and the like."