JERUSALEM (AP) — Six rabbis from West Bank settlements have taken a step to defuse tension over the burning of a West Bank mosque, apparently by extremist settlers — they presented 20 new Quran books to replace those damaged in the blaze.
During their visit to the mosque in the village of Beit Fajjar, Palestinian residents held charred pages of the burned Quran books.
Israeli politicians rushed to condemn the attack. It came as Israeli and Palestinian negotiators try to salvage peace talks by working out a deal over Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank.
Rabbi Menachem Froman, who led Tuesday’s reconciliatory visit, said those who committed the attack “oppose peace.”
The attackers left Hebrew slogans on the mosque walls. Israeli police are investigating.
