Tensions mount as US consulate cars stoned in West Bank

Rocks were hurled at two vehicles of the U.S. consulate in the Jewish illegal settlement area of Adei Ad Friday, police spokesperson Mickey Rosenfeld confirmed.

"The vehicles arrived at Adei Ad and received the brunt of the rocks thrown at them," Rosenfeld told Xinhua, adding no one was injured.

The police spokesperson stated that the visit was not coordinated with Israeli authorities and that police is investigating the case. Police believe Jewish settlement residents are involved.

According to Rabbis for Human Rights non-governmental left-wing organization, the U.S. consulate delegates came to examine claims by Palestinian residents of the nearby Turmus Ayya village where settlers destroyed 5,000 olive trees.

As for the settlers, they said the U.S. bodyguards drew their personal firearms and M16 rifles at them following a confrontation at the scene.

The U.S. consulate and the Prime Minister's Office did not give an official statement regarding the incident.

Late Palestinian Minister Ziad Abu Ein died in the same area last month, following a physical confrontation with Israeli security forces amid a demonstration against unauthorized outposts built near their village.

The incident could serve as an additional blow to already shaky U.S.-Israeli relations, which analysts believe are at an all-time low.

Tensions mounted between the two close allies during the collapse of peace talks with the Palestinians, disagreements over negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program and a host of controversial comments made by Israeli officials towards their U.S. counterparts.

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