Settlers’ attacks have increased this year but with more violence through targeting Muslim sacred places, mosques

Settlers’ attacks have increased this year but with more violence through targeting Muslim sacred places, mosques.

Yesterday, in the West Bank village of Bruqin, near Salfit, a mosque was set on fire by settlers.

The governor of Salfit, Isam Abu Bakr told Ma'an that at 2.00 a.m. a number of settlers sprayed racist anti-Arab slogans on the mosque walls and torched a car belonging to local resident Muatasim Samarah.

He said that the attack came "after Israeli forces issued demolition warrants against the mosque claiming it was built without a license."

According to The Associated Press, Mayor of Bruqin village Accra Samara said a flaming tire was thrown into the entrance of the mosque, and that assailants scrawled the words, "Hero of Ariel". Ariel is a nearby Jewish only settlement which cuts deep into the West Bank.

A bulldozer belonging to local villager Ali Nael was also set on fire by settlers, locals said.

Israeli police spokeswoman Cuba Samurai told AP police were investigating the incident.