Tensions in east Jerusalem rise again

Volatile calm in east Jerusalem village on Silwan shaken after Jewish resident fires his gun in midair during altercation with Arab neighbor. No injuries, damage reported; police detain both

Yair Altman|Published: 09.23.10 , 14:31

The fragile calm in the east Jerusalem village of Silwan was threatened Thursday, after a shooting incident between a Jewish resident and his Arab neighbor.

According to initial details, one of the Jewish residents of the village fired his personal weapon in midair during a brawl with one of his Arab neighbors.

Related stories:

No injuries or damage were reported. The police detained both men for questioning, as well as a third man – an Israeli security guard who was present on scene.

Police forces remain on high alert in Jerusalem, following the violent riots which erupted in the area after the accidental shooting of Silwan resident Samar Sarchan, a Fatah member, by an Israeli security guard.

The Palestinian Authority, meanwhile, has reportedly issued an order to its members on the ground to curb heated emotions and stop the situation from escalating further.

Palestinian sources told Ynet Thursday that the PA wants to see the violence ebb so not to give Israel an excuse to delay any stage of the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, especially so closed to the date on which the settlement freeze is set to end.