Second West Bank Mosque Vandalized, Settlers Blamed

Vandals graphitized a West Bank mosque, torched two Palestinian cars and uprooted olive trees overnight in attacks which locals on Thursday blamed on Jewish settlers.

The mosque in Yatma village some 10 kilometers south of Nablus was spray-painted with Hebrew graffiti reading "price tag" and "Migron" in reference to a settlement outpost where Israeli troops demolished three homes on Monday.

Hardline settlers have adopted what they call a "price tag" policy under which they attack Palestinians and their property in response to Israeli government measures against settlements.

It was the second time in three days that vandals, believed to be settlers, had attacked a mosque and daubed the word "Migron" on the walls. In Monday's attack, they also tried to set light to the building, causing fire damage.

During the overnight attacks, vandals also torched two cars in the nearby village of Qabalan, with witnesses telling Agence France Presse they had seen "settlers" fleeing after setting a BMW alight.

Several kilometers further north, dozens of olive trees were uprooted in a grove between Huwwara village and the hardline Yitzhar settlement, a Palestinian security source told AFP.

The attacks came a day after the army said unidentified "vandals" had attacked military vehicles on a base near Ramallah, slashing tyres and spraying them with the words "price tag."

Sugar was also poured into the fuel tanks of two heavy machinery vehicles which participated in the Migron demolitions, the army said on Thursday.

Monday's attack on the mosque in Qusra was condemned by the Palestinians and the European Union, as well as by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.