Palestinians, Border Guards clash in West Bank
'Naksa Day' riot breaks out near Qalandiya checkpoint, forcing troops to use crowd-control measures; one officer suffers mild stoning injury. Clashes noted in east Jerusalem as well
Dozens of Palestinians rioted near Qalandiya checkpoint north of Jerusalem Sunday, as part of the Palestinian "Naksa Day" protests marking the 44th anniversary of the Arab "downfall" in the Six Day War.
The Protesters were hoisting signs reading "A million shahids are marching in Jerusalem," "The people want and end to occupation," and "occupation is illegal," and clashed with Border Guard forces, stoning them.
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
The troops used crowd-control measures to keep escalating further, and at some point had to resort to firing rubber bullets. One Border Guard officer suffered mild injuries.
Rioters in Qalandiya (Photo: EPA)
Also in the West Bank, dozens of Palestinians and left wing activists marched towards the settlement of Elon Moreh and set fires nearby. The fire was put out and the crowd dispersed. No injuries or damage were reported.
Meanwhile, a riot broke out in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, as security forces patrolling the area as part of the defense establishment's special "Naksa Day" deployment were stoned.
Border Guard forces arrested four suspects, while police forces arrested three others. No injuries or damage were reported among the troops.
The GOC Central Command increased deployment across its sectors Sunday, in preparations for "Naksa Day."
Troop deployment was especially boosted near the border with Gaza, which is a restricted military zone.
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
