Some 20 young settlers from the West Bank settlements clashed with police late Monday as they refused to go into isolation despite having had direct contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient.
The members of the so-called Hilltop Youth were taken by military vehicle to Jerusalem to spend their isolation period in one of the city’s motels designated for that use, but apparently refused to stay in separate rooms as per government directives.
Police said that as a result of the settlers' refusal to comply with regulations, an alternative was being sought for them in southern Israel, with a detention facility in the Negev being the most likely location.
On the way there under police escort, however, the youths started to riot, damaging the bus in which they were traveling.
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The bus taking the young settlers to isolation at a facility in southern Israel
(Photo: Courtesy)
Their police escort managed to subdue the youths and returned them to Jerusalem, leaving the question of where they would spent their isolation period to other officials.
The police said that after the isolation period is over, the youths will most likely face a police investigation due the damage they inflicted during their riot.
According to witnesses, the youths tried to escape the bus and were then detained, although the youths claimed that they were taken to a detention center for non reason.
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The bus taking the young settlers to isolation at a facility in southern Israel
(Photo: Courtesy)
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the lawyer for several of the youths, said: "The system’s conduct is unclear. True, the boys should have gone into the motel, but they should still have been given food instead of being surrounded by policemen with clubs."
After having met with several of the youths, GOC Central Command- Major General Nadav Padan went into isolation in accordance with Health Ministry directives.