Undercover Israelis Grab Protesters

Israeli undercover troops mingled with Palestinian stone-throwers Thursday, then jumped several protesters--including one who had just burned an Israeli flag--and dragged them away at gunpoint.

One undercover soldier, his face covered by a black hood, held a youth who had burned the flag, then waved his gun at other Palestinians to keep them at bay.

A 17-year-old Palestinian who escaped arrest said the Israeli agents had joined the protesters and even hurled some stones to appear authentic.

“All of a sudden, they started chasing guys,” said the teenager, who would not give his name. “I was right next to one of them. He grabbed me by my shirt and told me in perfect Arabic to freeze.”

The youth said he managed to wrest free and run away.

Palestinians at the scene said they saw seven protesters being led away, but the Israeli army later said it had arrested only four.

The arrests came early in the protest, and Palestinians dispersed.