Israeli settlers riot after 2 killed by Palestinian gunman: ‘Spirit is hot’

Scores of Israeli settlers went on a violent rampage in the northern West Bank late Sunday, setting cars and homes on fire after two settlers were killed by a Palestinian gunman.

Scores of Israeli settlers went on a violent rampage in the northern West Bank late Sunday, setting cars and homes on fire after two settlers were killed by a Palestinian gunman. Palestinian medics said dozens were wounded.

The deadly shooting, followed by the late-night rampage, immediately raised doubts about Jordan’s declaration that it had received pledges from Israeli and Palestinian officials to calm a year-long wave of violence.

In what appeared to be the most serious burst of settler violence in years, photos and video on social media showed large fires burning throughout the town of Hawara — scene of the deadly shooting earlier in the day.

In one video, crowds of Jewish settlers could be heard reciting the Jewish prayer for the dead as they stared at a building in flames. And earlier, a prominent Israeli Cabinet minister and settler leader had called for Israel to strike “without mercy.”

Palestinian media said at least 20 vehicles and buildings were torched, and the Palestinian Red Crescent reported over 100 wounded.

As videos of the violence appeared on evening news shows, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed for calm. He said security forces were searching for the gunmen and urged against vigilante violence. “I ask that when blood is boiling and the spirit is hot, don’t take the law into your hands,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.

The Israeli military said its chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi, was rushing to the scene and that forces were trying to restore order.

The rampage occurred shortly after the Jordanian government, which hosted Sunday’s talks at the Red Sea resort of Aqaba, said the sides had agreed to take steps to de-escalate tensions and would meet again next month ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.