Israeli police said they arrested two men from a hardline West Bank settlement today on suspicion of carrying out hate crimes and a third for condoning violence against soldiers.
"Two people from Yitzhar were arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into suspicions of criminal activity of a nationalistic nature," spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP, adding that a court order barred him from giving further details.
Israeli public radio said the young men were suspected of taking part in "price tag" attacks -- hate crimes by Jewish extremists that mostly target Palestinian and Arab property, but have also included attacks on other non-Jews as well as leftwing Israelis and the security forces.
Rosenfeld said a third Yitzhar resident was arrested for inciting violence against Israeli troops after allegedly posting a statement online which defended harming soldiers involved in anti-settlement operations.
