Thais strike back at Lebanese on Israeli border

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -- Thai apple-pickers clashed with Lebanese stone-throwers at the Israeli border on Tuesday, forcing the Israeli army to intervene, an army spokesman said.

"Lebanese civilians threw rocks at an Israeli civilian and at several Thai workers near Fatma Gate," the spokesman said. "In response, and after one of the Lebanese pointed a gun at them, the foreign workers threw rocks back at the Lebanese."

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Israeli soldiers arrived at the scene, an apple orchard, "and dispersed the civilians on the Israeli side of the border," the spokesman added.

An Israeli civilian was hit by a stone but did not require medical attention, he said.

Lebanese frequently throw stones, bottles and other objects at Israeli soldiers and civilians across the border since the Israeli army withdrew from south Lebanon in May, ending 22 years of occupation of parts of south Lebanon.

Thousands of Thai workers are employed by Israeli farmers.

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