The aftermath of riots in Isawiya
East Jerusalem clashes continue Friday night, suspects arrested
Protests break out in several spots in east Jerusalem late Friday after Trump administration officials say Western Wall will ultimately be declared part of Israel despite being located beyond pre-1967 border; rioters launch fireworks, throw rocks at police in Isawiya, at-Tur, suspect damages hanukkiah in Old City.
Disturbances erupted in several places in east Jerusalem early Saturday with police and Border Police forces arresting several of the protests' main instigators. The riots came following senior officials in President Donald Trump's administration saying the Western Wall
will ultimately be declared part of Israel.
Stones and Molotov cocktails were thrown and fireworks launched at police forces in the east Jerusalem village of Isawiya, near Mount Scopus, with seven people suspected of fomenting discord arrested by forces in the wake of police operations in the village. They were brought in for questioning in the police's Central Unit.
The aftermath of riots in Isawiya
Fireworks were also fired at police in the at-Tur neighborhood, with one man suspected of operating a fireworks launchpad located and arrested.
In the Old City of Jerusalem, meanwhile, a suspect was seen damaging a hanukkiah. With the help of the area's security camera operators, the man was located and arrested in short order.
East Jerusalem protests Friday
The American statement regarding the Kotel was uttered just before Vice President Mike Pence's expected visit to Israel and the region next week, and may escalate tensions already running high over the past week and a half in the Arab and Muslim world following the Trump administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
President Trump (L) sent VP Pence to the Middle East (Photo: Reuters)
While the selfsame senior officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the ultimate borders of the holy city must be resolved through Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, they also essentially ruled out any scenario that didn't maintain Israeli control over the holiest site in Judaism.
The issue is sensitive because the wall is beyond Israel's pre-1967 borders and abuts some of the Islamic world's most revered sites.
"We cannot envision any situation under which the Western Wall would not be part of Israel. But as the president said, the specific boundaries of sovereignty of Israel are going to be part of the final status agreement," a senior administration official said.
Another official later added by email, "We note that we cannot imagine Israel would sign a peace agreement that didn't include the Western Wall."
Vice President Pence will be leaving for the Middle East on Tuesday, and meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday. He will then be making his way to Israel.
Suspect arrested near Old City of Jerusalem Friday
A third senior administration official noted that the reaction to the Jerusalem decision involved "a lot of the emotions." The official added Pence's trip to the region was viewed as part of "the ending of that chapter and the beginning of what I would say was the next chapter."
Trump officials said Pence would reinforce Trump’s announcement on Jerusalem, but the administration also understands the Palestinians may need a cooling-off period.
(Photo: Getty Images)
The American officials' statements followed in the wake of yet another violent Friday in the territories. Three Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded in clashes with security forces near the Gaza border and in the West Bank, while a terrorist who stabbed a Border Policeman in West Bank Square near Ramallah was shot and killed. The cop suffered moderate wounds.
According to the IDF, the terrorist was wearing what appeared to be an explosive belt. However, soldiers had no time to confirm whether it was real or not due to the rapid evacuation by the Red Crescent of the terrorist who was said to be in critical condition. Palestinian security officials reported to Ynet that the explosive belt was fake.
(Photo: AFP)
The Border Police lauded the policemen's response.
Concurrently, five people who rioted and attacked police in Jerusalem were arrested at the conclusion of Friday prayers in the Old City and near Damascus Gate.
Two other female suspects, arrested near Damascus Gate for attacking a cop and breaking her arm, were arraigned in court. They were remanded for two more days.
