Israeli soldiers brutally attack Palestinians and ISM activists on bike ride (Video)

Israeli forces Saturday broke up with force a cycling tour around the Jordan Valley and assaulted the participants injuring and arresting a number of them.

In the video, which was posted by the International Solidarity Movement on YouTube on Sunday, Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner, the deputy commander of the Jordan Valley brigade , is seen beating youths who took part in a pro-Palestinian bike ride in the Jordan Valley with an M-16 rifle.

Israeli forces can be seen physically assaulting cyclists in the video.

Soldiers stopped a group of around 250 participants near the Jericho village of al-Auja and refused to let them start a cycling tour, which was organized by youth group Sharek and officials from the al-Auja environmental center.

The tour planned to take participants on a 25 km journey through the Jordan Valley and Jericho area.

When participants protested against orders to stop cycling, soldiers used force against them, injuring several people.

A number of the participants were injured and taken to hospital in Jericho while others were arrested, Including international participants.

According to WAFA news, 33 French nationals, two Spanish activists, two Italians, one Swiss, one Canadian and one Portuguese were arrested by Israeli forces.

An Israeli army spokeswoman described the incident as "very severe," adding that Israeli GOC central command Nitzan Alon has ordered an investigation into the event.

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday condemned the beating of pro-Palestinian activists.

Israeli army chief of staff Benny Gantz said on Sunday evening that he views the incident as a very serious one. The Israeli army Spokesman quoted Gantz as having said, “The incident does not reflect the values ​​of the Israeli army and will be thoroughly investigated."