Yeshivah students in clash with Palestinian police at Joseph's Tomb

The worshippers were dragged from their car and their vehicles torched, reports said.

Israeli police said most of the group escaped but the five students – said to be members of the strictly Orthodox
Breslov sect - were caught by Palestinian police officers who beat them. They suffered bruises, and were treated at the scene by IDF paramedics.

They were then removed by soldiers and later appeared in court to be remanded for violating security regulations.

They said they had gone to the tomb in order to paint it after the arson attack.

Police described their actions as irresponsible. Israeli entering the area were endangering their lives they said.