Attempts by rioters throwing rocks at Israel Defense Force soldiers
to conduct a ‘Global March to Jerusalem’ have, for the most part,
been thwarted by Israeli authorities, who have maintained secure
national borders and checkpoints inside the country on ‘Land Day’.
Organizers intended for a million Arabs from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan,
and Egypt to infiltrate Israel’s borders and Palestinian Authority
and Israeli Arabs to riot against Israeli army and law enforcement
officers, with a goal of overcoming the obstacles to reach Jerusalem.
Beefed up security forces deployed on Israel’s borders and in
sensitive locations throughout the country remain on high alert, as
news outlets from around the Arab world report that demonstrators are
continuing to amass on Israel’s borders. Reports emanating from
Jordan state that almost 20,000 people have gathered in order to
converge on the Israeli border. Lebanese newspapers report that over
100 buses will be transporting Lebanese and Palestinian demonstrators
to the Lebanese border.
More than a dozen Arabs have been arrested for throwing rocks at
police near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s old city (video by IDF
Spokesperson’s Office).
Rioters Hurling Firebombs at IDF Forces in Bethlehem
AFP reported that more than 15,000 demonstrators in Jordan, waving
Jordanian and Palestinian flags and carrying banners reading “Freedom
for Jerusalem and freedom for Palestine,” and “Jerusalem, here we
come,” joined in a peaceful sit-in at Kafrein, six miles from the
border with Israel on Friday. Among them were opposition Islamist
leaders and trade unionists,
“We will not forget you Jerusalem. Down with the Wadi Araba
agreement,” they chanted, referring to the 1994 peace treaty between
Jordan and Israel.
At the Kalandia checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, clashes began at
around 12:30, after mosque Friday prayers. Dozens of young
Palestinians threw stones at security forces manning the checkpoint.
Soldiers utilized the “screamer,” which transmitts very high
frequency sound to keep the rioters, and the “skunk,” which showered
protesters with a liquid reminiscent of a stink-bomb.
A Hamas member of the Palestinian parliament, Ahmed Atun, who was
expelled from Jerusalem a few months ago, received a light head
injury and required treatment.
According to a report by Ynet, Palestinian politician Mustafa
Barghouti was injured by a tear gas canister that struck him in the
head, and was taken to a hospital in Ramallah for treatment.
The PLO Executive Committee has encouraged the protests, saying they
are necessary “to affirm the Arab and Palestinian character of
Jerusalem.”
The committee insisted that the only solution to the conflict would
be the establishment of Jerusalem as the eternal capital of an
independent Palestine.
