Palestinian cops clash with Islamists in Hebron

Hamas supporters blocked from attacking Israeli soldiers, settlers following rally in Hebron.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
PA police grapple with Hamas supporters 370 (photo credit: Ammar Awad/Reuters)
PA police grapple with Hamas supporters 370
(photo credit: Ammar Awad/Reuters)
Hamas supporters on Friday clashed with Palestinian Authority policemen who tried to stop them from attacking IDF soldiers and settlers in Hebron, eyewitnesses reported.
The clash erupted following a Hamas rally in the city marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Islamist terrorist movement.
The PA leadership in the West Bank gave permission for the Hamas rally.
Similar rallies have also taken place in the past few days in Nablus, Kalkilya, Ramallah and Tulkarm.
The eyewitnesses said that dozens of Hamas supporters began marching toward the Israeli-controlled part of Hebron immediately after the rally.
PA policemen tried to stop the protesters from approaching an IDF checkpoint, they added. At this point, the Hamas supporters hurled stones and empty bottles at the Palestinian policemen. No one was hurt.
A PA security official in Hebron denounced the Hamas supporters for attacking Palestinian policemen.
The official said that the policemen had been deployed in the city to maintain law and order.
According to the official, the PA policemen received orders to stop the Hamas supporters from marching toward the IDF soldiers and Jewish homes “so as not to give Israel an excuse to invade our city.”