Riots in Jerusalem, West Bank ahead of Nakba Day
Friday prayers at Temple Mount end peacefully only to be followed by clashes between police, protestors in Silwan, At-Tur and Bab al-Huta. Security forces pelted with stones near Bethlehem, Ramallah
Riots broke out in east Jerusalem and across the West Bank Friday ahead of Nakba Day, but fears of large-scale violence did not materialize.
IDF forces dispersed dozens of Palestinians, foreign nationals and Israeli leftist activists who hurled stoned near the Palestinian village of Nabi Salah, east of Ramallah. Leftist protestors said more than 10 people were hurt in the clashes.
Elsewhere, a Border Guard police officer sustained light wounds after being pelted with stones in the Jerusalem area. He was treated at the scene.
Prayers at the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem's Old City, however, were held under relative calm.
In Silwan, protestors clashed with security forces who entered the neighborhood. Arabs hurled stones while police officers responded with crowd dispersal means. Three men were arrested on suspicion of hurling stones in Bab al-Huta, while Border Guard and police forces arrested a protestor in At-Tur.
Stones were also hurled at security forces in Issawiya.
Police forces raise alert level (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Earlier this week, police arrested 13 Arab men on suspicion they planned to stage riots to mark Nakba Day. Their remand was extended until Monday.
Silwan resident Abu Nasser blamed police for the clashes. "It’s all because of the Jews who settled here in Silwan," he said. "The police enter and protects them and hurts us. This occupation cannot be tolerated any longer and we are expressing this ahead of Nakba Day."
Friday prayers end peacefully (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Riots were also noted in the West Bank. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said that 50 Palestinians gathered near Um Salmuna, south of Bethlehem and hurled stones at security forces. The IDF sealed the area. "In total six Palestinians were arrested," the IDF said.
Weekly anti-fence protests were held near the separation fence, west of Ramallah. Dozens of Palestinians, Israelis and foreigners rallied near the village of Naalian and hurled stones at security forces. A protest was also held near Bilin. No injuries were reported.
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