This may look like a violent clash between Israelis and Palestinians - in actual fact, everyone here is a Jewish settler.<br/> Dozens of students from Kiryat Arba dressed up as Palestinian infiltrators, simulating an attack on the settlement.<br/> The exercise was part of a security drill, in preparation for what these settlers say is expected Palestinian violence after a planned statehood bid later this month.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) SETTLER YOUTH SHUVAL YAMIN:<br/> "We are holding a mock drill preparing for what is about to happen, the violence by the Arabs after their U.N. announcement."<br/> Israeli security forces regularly train settler 'emergency response teams', who are often the first to arrive at violent scenes.<br/> The Israeli army also provides these teams with weapons.<br/> Tension is on the rise between West Bank settlers and Palestinians.<br/> In the village of Beit Foreek, settlers destroyed three Palestinian owned cars, as part of a response to curbs on building settlements on occupied territory.<br/> A spokesperson for human rights group B'Tselem, said that such vandalism has been on the rise.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESPERSON FOR HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP B'TSELEM, SARIT MICHAELI:<br/> "In the past ten days since the demolition of homes in the settlement of Migron, we have witnessed a sharp increase in the number of attacks by settlers against Palestinian property and acts of vandalism. We've seen an attempt to torch a mosque, we've seen a lot of racist graffiti, and several cars that have been burnt. "<br/> While some may be expecting Palestine's bid for United Nations General Assembly recognition to end in bloodshed, it is unclear what the outcome will be.<br/> Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has denied seeking violence, and says that negotiations with Israel will continue regardless of the outcome at the U.N..<br/> Simon Hanna, Reuters.
