World

Viral video shows skirmish between Palestinian women, youth and Israeli soldier

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this Friday, Aug, 28, 2015 photo, Palestinian women and youth scuffle with an Israeli soldier trying to arrest a 12-year-old boy during a protest near the West Bank village of Nebi Saleh. A video showing the incident has been viewed more than 2 million times on Facebook, and shined a light on Israeli military policies in the territory. The Israeli military said Sunday that a "violent riot" broke out at the protest and that it tried to detain the boy because he was hurling rocks. The video sparked accusations from critics that Israel is too heavy-handed in its confrontations with Palestinian protesters, especially minors. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

In this Friday, Aug, 28, 2015 photo, Palestinian women and girls scuffle with an Israeli soldier trying to arrest a 12-year-old boy during a protest near the West Bank village of Nebi Saleh. A video showing the incident has been viewed more than 2 million times on Facebook, and shined a light on Israeli military policies in the territory. The Israeli military said Sunday that a "violent riot" broke out at the protest and that it tried to detain the boy because he was hurling rocks. The video sparked accusations from critics that Israel is too heavy-handed in its confrontations with Palestinian protesters, especially minors. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Israeli border police detain a Palestinian during a protest against the Israeli separation barrier, in Beit Jala, West Bank, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi) (The Associated Press)

A video showing an Israeli soldier scuffling with Palestinian women and youth at a West Bank protest has been viewed more than 2 million times on Facebook.

In the edited video, the masked soldier is seen attempting to arrest a 12-year-old boy with a cast on his arm. He is swarmed by veiled Palestinian women, who pull at the soldier and slap him. The boy's sister is seen biting the soldier's hand.

The soldier eventually frees himself from the crowd and releases the boy.

The Israeli military says Sunday the boy was being detained because he was hurling rocks, but was then released "to prevent an escalation of violence."

The skirmish took place Friday at a weekly protest where Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters often clash.