Israeli settler attempts to 'burn Palestinian vehicles' in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah

An Israeli settler allegedly tried to burn Palestinian vehicles in occupied East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood on Friday.

Locals managed to stop the settler, official Palestinian news agency Wafa cited witnesses as saying.

The Eye on Palestine media outlet also reported that a settler had attempted to burn vehicles, adding that Israeli forces made an arrest.

Responding to a request for comment from The New Arab, the Israeli police alleged: "After examining the report received by the police and performing all the required investigative actions, it became clear that there was no arson or attempted arson as described and no suspicion of committing another criminal offense arose."

This is not the first time settlers have been accused of arson against Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and elsewhere in Jerusalem.

It is uncommon for Israel's authorities to go after Israelis alleged to have committed such attacks.

Sheikh Jarrah often hits headlines in light of  Israeli efforts to expel Palestinian residents in favour of Jewish settlers.

Last month in the flashpoint neighbourhood Israel knocked down the Salahia family house, where five children and seven adults lived, prompting widespread condemnation.

"The evictions and displacement of Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem are a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law," neighbouring Jordan's foreign ministry said at the time, according to Wafa.

"Israel, as the occupying power in East Jerusalem, is mandated by international law to protect Palestinians' rights to their homes."

The ministry also argued demolitions, expulsions and other Israeli actions "undermine the chances of realising a just and comprehensive peace founded on the two-state solution".

Note: This article was updated at 20:18 GMT on 6 February to include a statement from the Israeli police.