Israeli settler runs over human rights photographer
A photographer for the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem was injured on Feb. 1 after being hit by an Israeli settler vehicle in Hebron, the man told Ma'an News Agency. Raed Jihad Abu Rmeila, 28, told Ma'an he "suffered from bruises" after being hit by a car driven by an Israeli settler while walking to work near the Ibrahimi mosque. He was taken to Hebron governmental hospital in moderate condition. Abu Rmeila said he could not determine whether he was hit on purpose or by mistake. He said he was walking on the pedestrian side of the yellow line when he was struck.
A 1997 agreement split Hebron into areas of Palestinian and Israeli control. Some 500 Jewish settlers live in the Old City. The Israeli military-controlled H2 zone includes the ancient Old City, home of the revered Ibrahimi Mosque—also split into a synagogue referred to as the Tomb of the Patriarchs—and the once thriving Shuhada street, now just shuttered shops fronts and closed homes.
Settler violence against Palestinians and their property is common but rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities. Over 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
From Ma'an News Agency, Feb. 1.
