Palestinians rally in Hebron; 5 officers hurt

Palestinians mark 17 years since Baruch Goldstein killed 29 in Cave of the Patriarchs; confronted by security forces while trying to enter Jewish quarter

Yair Altman|Published: 02.25.11 , 17:35

More than 1,000 Palestinians protested in Hebron on Friday to mark the 17th anniversary of the massacre at the Cave of the Patriarchs and demanded that Shuhada Street in the West Bank city be opened to Palestinian traffic.

During the march, protesters tried to enter the city's Jewish quarter but were confronted by IDF and Border Guard forces. Five Border Guard officers were lightly injured. Three protestors were arrested by Israeli forces.

Four Border Guard officers were injured when stones were thrown at them by protestors, and a female officer suffered light injuries to her hand after being attacked by a protestor wielding a sharp object.

Israeli far-left activist Yonatan Pollack said that during the rally, which was held in memory of the 29 Palestinians who were killed by Baruch Goldstein in 1994, Israeli forces fired tear gas at the protestors.

Also on Friday, Palestinians rallied in Bilin, Na'alin, Nabi Saleh and Al-Maasara against the construction of the West Bank security fence.

Activists said that Israeli artist David Riv was arrested while he was videotaping the demonstration in Nabi Saleh.