Honenu officials reported early Thursday afternoon 27 Nissan that five Jews were arrested in Maale Shlomo and Kochav HaShachar, both located in the Binyamin Regional Council area of Shomron. According to the report, the arrest was brutal and involved the use of unjustifiable force. Some of the policemen were dressed as Arabs.

Police set up an ambush and jumped the suspects, four of whom were inside a vehicle inside Maale Shlomo when police moved in. Police impounded two vehicles. They were violently pulled out of the vehicle and they were removed from the area, leaving their small children unattended.

It is yet to be determined if there was contact between the suspects and policemen dressed as Arabs. Police at this time have yet to explain the reason for the arrests.

Honenu released a statement condemning the actions of police and the provocative act and similar acts that have been carried out by police in Sussia (S. Hebron Hills), Hebron, Gilad Farm (Shomron) Adi Ahd (Shomron) and other locations. Honenu adds that police have come under sharp condemnation by the courts for their use of unjustifiable force. In addition Honenu points out Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich promised to bring an end to such police conduct.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)