Masked men attack activists in Israeli rights group clip

JERUSALEM – Footage filmed by an Israeli human rights group shows what it says are a group of masked settlers attacking activists assisting Palestinians in the West Bank.

Sarit Michaeli of Israeli group B’Tselem said about a dozen activists were accompanying Palestinian shepherds when they came under an “unprovoked” attack.

The clip shows a group of masked men charging at the activists, throwing stones and hitting them with sticks.

One man ran at a rights activist, Rabbi Arik Ascherman, and hit him on the back of the head with a stick.

Michaeli said Rabbi Ascherman received medical care and two other activists were treated in hospital for a broken arm and a head wound.

Israeli police and military had no immediate comment. Palestinians often complain settlers carry out attacks with impunity.