Palestinian leaders had called for ‘a day of rage’ And so it proved on Friday in Jerusalem and the West Bank, with anger on the streets in cities
ADVERTISEMENTPalestinian leaders had called for ‘a day of rage’
And so it proved on Friday in Jerusalem and the West Bank, with anger on the streets in cities including Ramallah, Hebron and Nablus.
Amid clashes with Israeli security forces, three Palestinians were shot at Kafr Kaddoum near Nablus, according to the local Red Crescent.
Friday, the Muslim day of prayer, is a traditional day of Palestinian protest.
But this week was more turbulent than usual amid tension over the al-Aqsa Mosque compound and plans by Israel to allow security forces to open fire on anyone seen throwing stones at Israeli vehicles.
There have been several such attacks in recent weeks, including one that led to the death of an Israeli motorist.
Seven Palestinians wounded during West Bank clashes http://t.co/2zFaUj40Aspic.twitter.com/09wynxBBcb
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) 18 Septembre 2015
The scenes were particularly ugly on Friday at the Shuafat Refugee camp in predominantly Palestinian East Jerusalem.
Despite a huge security presence, Israeli police officers as well as Palestinians were reported hurt in Friday’s clashes. Several arrests were made.
Tension is focussed on the compound housing Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque on a site also revered by Jews as Temple Mount.
In efforts to limit the threat of violence on Friday, Israel banned access there for all men under 40 – meaning many Palestinians prayed in the street.