Seven Israeli women held over right-wing violence

JERUSALEM — Seven young Israeli women, six of them minors, have been arrested on suspicion of participating in the destruction of hundreds of Palestinian olive trees, Israeli police said on Sunday.

The women are also accused of taking part in demonstrations against the dismantling of illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank, during which Israeli army equipment was damaged, a police spokeswoman told AFP.

The women have not yet been charged, but will appear before a court later on Sunday where police will request their detention be extended, she added.

The Palestinians accuse Israel of rarely acting against Israelis accused of destroying Palestinian property, including hundreds of olive trees throughout the West Bank.

Right-wing Israeli activists have been accused of a variety of acts against Palestinians and their property, including attacking mosques in the West Bank.

The Israeli government has condemned such attacks, but Palestinian officials say Israeli police are slow to act in response.