Palestinians blame settlers for West Bank mosque vandalism; Israeli army condemns act

Palestinians: Settlers vandalized West Bank mosque

RAMALLAH, West Bank — A Palestinian prayer leader says Jewish settlers have vandalized a West Bank mosque.

Mohammed Owdi says he arrived at the mosque in the village of Hawara on Wednesday to find the word “Mohammed” in Hebrew and a Star of David painted in the mosque’s entryway. Two cars were also burned.

Owdi says he saw a car leaving the village and suspects Jewish settlers. The area, deep in the West Bank, is home to several radical settlements.

The Israeli army condemned the act and called for an investigation.

Friction is common between the 2.5 million Palestinians and 300,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.

In January, Israeli police arrested nine settlers after an arson attack on a mosque.