'Day of rage': Hamas calls for terrorist attacks inside Israel
Palestinian Authority police deployed to prevent spillover of Jerusalem disturbances into PA territory. In Gaza students demonstrate in solidarity
While hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated and threw stones at security forces in a number of places in east Jerusalem to mark a "Day of rage", the Palestinian Authority announced a general alert.
Hamas' acting parliamentary speaker Dr. Ahmed Bahar called on the Palestinian organizations to strike Israel with terrorist attacks in its central region in response to the "desecration of al-Aqsa."
Palestinian police were deployed in towns and cities in the West Bank in case the riots spilled over into PA territory. Forces also patrolled the seam line, but no disturbances have been reported.
A source within the PA security services said to Ynet, "The security forces are acting almost as if it was an emergency situation, with the aim of maintaining order." He said the PA understood the sensitivity of the situation, but wanted to retain control.
Border guards arrest a protester in east Jerusalem (Photo: AFP)
The PA also stepped up its surveillance of Hamas figures after the organization called for a general "day of rage" in the West Bank.
At the same time, traffic was stopped for five minutes in the Gaza Strip as a sign of solidarity with Palestinians in Jerusalem. Trading was also slow, and lessons were suspended in local schools while students and pupils demonstrated in the streets.
Anti-PA campaign
While PA elements insist there are no current negotiations with Israel in light of its refusal to cease construction in the settlements and east Jerusalem, Palestinian resistance groups are calling the PA to halt talks, as well as the "persecution" of members of the groups in the West Bank.
Hamas' deputy politburo chief Moussa Abu Marzouk said that in light of Israel's actions and the attempt to change reality on the ground by altering Arab presence in Jerusalem "a clear strategy of struggle against the occupation and Judaization must be employed."
Maher al-Taher, member of the PFLP's political bureau urged the PA to reconsider its policy and stop negotiations.
Elements in the Popular Front – General Command called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to draw conclusions from his failure and resign, claiming his consent to renew talks gave Israel the green light to continue its "expansive policy" in the settlements.
Members of the Islamic Jihad also urged for a halt in talks and to even consider disbanding the PA.
