Palestinian Arabs threaten IDF with stones, January 2014
Palestinian Arabs threaten IDF with stones, January 2014Flash90

There were a number of violent incidents in northern Israel over Yom Kippur, primarily involving Arabs targeting Jewish Israelis with rocks.

A number of youths laid down boulders to block the entrance to the northern community of Dovav last night (Monday) during Yom Kippur. Police removed the roadblock and detained the youths for questioning.

In addition, Arab youths threw rocks at a passing car near Hosen Junction on Route 89. No one was injured and there was no damage to the vehicle, though police have still opened an investigation.Similarly, someone threw a stone at a car near Golani Junction without effect. Police from Tveria say they are looking into the incident.

A car was hit and damaged on Route 75.

Police also received reports of a fight in the Arab village of Kafr Kana. They arrived and broke up the fight before anyone was injured, though in the process someone threw a rock at the squad car.

In addition, unknown assailants set a mattress on fire near a residential building in the holy city of Tsfat early this morning. As a result, one resident was treated for smoke inhalation.

Police have opened an investigation into that incident.

The violence comes as Jerusalem experienced its first relatively quiet day since Muslim riots began over a week ago on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.

Apart from Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Wednesday also marked the start of the Muslim festival of Eid el-Adha.

Police were on high alert for possible attacks by Muslim extremists during the day, although those fears appear to have largely not materialize - in part thanks to tight security controls, including a complete closure of checkpoints between Judea-Samaria and Jerusalem.