WORLD IN BRIEF : ISRAEL : Jewish Settlers Block West Bank Roads

Jewish settlers fired shots, stoned Arab cars and scuffled with police while blocking 15 West Bank roads to protest Israeli plans to transfer more land to Palestinian self-rule, witnesses said. Israeli police, clashing with Jewish settlers near Kedumim settlement, made 13 arrests. One settler was hurt. There were no reports of injuries among Arabs. At the scene, Israeli ambulance driver Assaf Yitzhaki said he and a doctor helped a Palestinian woman give birth, telling Israel Army Radio: “It doesn’t matter, Jew or Arab. We are all, after all, human beings.” Settlers blocked main roads with stones and burning tires for two hours. They prayed, and some attacked Arab houses with stones. Palestinians threw stones back until police restored order.